Birmingham acquires Reynolds full-length
October 2 2012
Picture: Birmingham Museums
Congratulations to Birmingham for completing their acquisition of Joshua Reynolds' fine full-length of Dr John Ash. Says their press release:
[Museum director] Professor Sumner comments, "We are delighted to announce that Birmingham Museums will be acquiring this significant work. The portrait is one of Reynolds' late, great works, and its combined historic and artistic qualities make it one of the most important cultural icons of the city of Birmingham. The acquisition comes at a particularly opportune time for the city, and will be presented as part of a larger celebration of portraiture from Birmingham’s collections in 2013." [...]
Birmingham Museums Trust was awarded a grant of £675,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £100,000 from The Art Fund to support the acquisition. The Museums Trust has successfully raised a further £100,000 through grants from organisations including the Museum Development Trust, Public Picture Gallery Fund, the Friends of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, William A Cadbury Trust and John Feeney Trust.
It's been interesting to watch this acquisition unfold, and quite quickly too - I went to do the initial valuation just under a year ago. Well done to all involved.
