Museum acquisitions
Museums often acquire works through donations but, in spite of funding constraints, they also make purchases to expand their collections, either bidding at auctions, negotiating private treaty sales or, in the UK, via the Acceptance in Lieu scheme.
UK dealers announce series of sales to overseas museums
25 March 2024Several pictures and one leatherwork portrait have recently gone to institutions in the US and France.
Sarah Biffin self-portrait acquired by Museum of Somerset from dealer Philip Mould
16 March 2024A self-portrait by Sarah Biffin (c.1784-1850) bought by the Museum of Somerset has recently gone on display.
‘A testament to elegance’: Bach manuscript goes to Bodleian in lieu of inheritance tax
15 March 2024A rare autograph manuscript by composer Johann Sebastian Bach has been acquired by the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries.
Anglo-Saxon coin hoard discovered in Braintree by metal detectorists comes to auction
15 February 2024An impressive group of Anglo-Saxon pennies, found by metal detectorists near Braintree in Essex, will be offered in separate lots at Noonans.
Bayeux Museum buys Victorian replica of the famous tapestry from the collection of Rolling Stones drummer
31 January 2024The Bayeux Museum in France has bought a life-size Victorian replica of the Bayeux tapestry from the Charlie Watts sale.
Louvre buys Vénus de Milo cast at auction
30 January 2024The Louvre Museum has used its pre-emption right to successfully secure a 19th century cast of the Vénus de Milo at Artcurial.
New auction records for under-represented artists as museums show purchasing power
29 January 2024The desire by top museums to buy works by under-represented groups, including women and minority ethnic artists, has led to two new auction records in the US.
News in brief including the Louvre securing a 19th century cast of the Vénus de Milo
29 January 2024A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including the Louvre Museum using its pre-emption right to secure a 19th century cast of the Vénus de Milo at an Artcurial auction
More than £50m of art, antiques and collectables acquired by the nation
20 December 2023The latest annual Cultural Gifts Scheme and Acceptance in Lieu Annual Report has been published detailing the artworks and objects that will go on show to the public.
Getty Museum buys three Old Masters to ‘bolster the collection’
06 December 2023The Getty Museum has announced the acquisition of three Old Masters which were all bought this year from separate European sources.
Art Fund and Arts Council England launch initiative to encourage art donations
05 December 2023A new publication by Art Fund and Arts Council England seeks to raise awareness about how owners of art and antiques can donate to institutions.
Newly identified Mary Beale portrait sold to Boston museum
04 December 2023Dealer Peter Harrison has sold a recently reidentified portrait by 17th century painter Mary Beale (1633-99) to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
Medieval bible 'looted during Hundred Years' War' blocked from export
09 November 2023A New Testament bible formerly owned by the French King Jean II but believed to have been in the UK for more than 600 years has been temporarily barred from export.
Louvre buys medieval panel discovered in a French kitchen
08 November 2023A medieval panel discovered above a stove in a kitchen in France has been bought by The Louvre Museum.
Fundraising boost to save Henry VIII’s lost tapestry
28 October 2023A previously lost tapestry, commissioned by Henry VIII during the turmoil of the English Reformation, is a step closer to returning to the UK.
Dealer lends ceramics to exhibition on Old Master women artists
20 October 2023A ceramics dealer is among those supporting a major exhibition showcasing women artists this winter.
Pick of the week: Museum steps in to buy Blessington Commode
16 October 2023An important piece of Irish marquetry furniture scheduled to sell in County Louth last week was withdrawn from sale at the 11th hour after a deal was struck with the National Museum of Ireland.
English Heritage buys Dutch Golden Age picture
12 October 2023English Heritage has bought a Dutch Golden Age painting that had previously been on loan to one of its properties in South Yorkshire.
Angelica Kauffman picture returns to National Trust’s Stourhead after 140 years
10 October 2023Angelica Kauffman’s Penelope and Euriclea has been bought at auction by Stourhead, the National Trust’s Wiltshire stately home, and will go back on display at the property for the first time since the mid-19th century.
Painting returns to William Morris' ‘heaven on earth’
25 September 2023A picture of Kelmscott Manor painted when it was the home of William and Jane Morris is returning to the house after it was acquired for The Society of Antiquaries of London.
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