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Tate launches appeal to buy £6m Rubens sketch
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent5 Jun 2008
Historian David Starkey today backed a Tate campaign to buy a £6million oil sketch by the 17th century master Peter Paul Rubens.
He said the sketch, a study for the ceiling of the Banqueting House in Whitehall, was an important piece of Britain's heritage.
"This work is of the utmost significance to British history," said Professor Starkey as the gallery made an appeal for public support.
"The Banqueting House, with its stunning Rubens ceiling, is all that remains of the original Whitehall Palace after it was destroyed by fire in 1698. The loss of the sketch would be a fundamental betrayal of our national heritage and it is inconceivable that it move from Britain."
The ceiling was originally discussed with Rubens by James I of England (James VI of Scotland) to celebrate his achievement in uniting the countries after Elizabeth I's death.
Charles I, James's son and successor, commissioned the paintings and the nine canvases were produced in Rubens's Antwerp studio before being shipped to England.
The sketch, entitled The Apotheosis of James I: Multiple Sketch for the Banqueting House Ceiling (1628-1630), shows the first ideas for seven of the canvases.
Today, the Tate brought it to the Banqueting House for probably the first time since the huge decorative scheme was completed in 1634.
The work is valued at £11.5 million but is on offer to the Tate at £6 million with tax concessions. It is being sold through Christie's by the family that has owned it since the 18th century. The gallery has so far raised £1.56million, including £500,000 from the Art Fund charity. It has until the end of next month to find the rest.
Tate Britain director Stephen Deuchar said: "There could simply be no better place than Tate Britain to explore this work's national importance and recognise its truly memorable contribution to British art history."
The sketch can be viewed at Tate Britain until 31 July.
