One of the world’s most famous paintings is due to arrive in Sunderland.
Canaletto’s much acclaimed masterpiece A Regatta on the Grand Canal is visiting Sunderland Museum& Winter Gardens this summer from the National Gallery in London. The Sunderland venue is one of only three in the country to host the painting, which dates to around 1740.
Depicting a gondola race during an annual carnival in Venice, the highly detailed painting is held as one of the finest works by the artist. Canaletto, full name Giovanni Antonio Canal, was a Venetian born artist who found great success selling his detailed paintings of major events to tourists.
Sunderland City Council Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Wellness and Culture, Councillor John Kelly, said: “Some art works are simply awe-inspiring and this is one of them. The sheer detail in the painting is stunning and it conveys so much atmosphere.
“We’re really proud to be able to work with the National Gallery to bring this masterpiece to new audiences in the North East. Sunderland is quite rightly, developing a reputation for creativity and culture. We should take great pride in being selected to host such a wonderful artwork and I encourage everyone to go along and make the most of this opportunity to see great art here in our city.”
Canaletto, popular amongst English art collectors,spent a considerable time in Britain and is said to have had a significant influence on British art of the 18th Century.
The exhibition of A Regatta on the Grand Canal at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, from Saturday 11 July to Sunday 13 September, is part of the Masterpieces Tour by important works from the National Gallery Collection.
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens have a series of guided tours and events planned allowing everyone a chance to gain a full insight into Canaletto and his works.
Director of the National Gallery, Dr Nicholas Penny, added: “The National Gallery was created for the benefit of the British public, but it must be acknowledged that a number of visitors may find it difficult to come to London. We hope that the tour of this great Canaletto masterpiece will reach people who have never visited their national collection or haven’t done so for ages, and we hope that many of those whom we do reach then feel inspired to visit or revisit. We are delighted to include these three venues in the Masterpiece Tour 2015 and look forward to seeing the different ways in which this much-loved painting will be displayed in each setting.”
The Masterpiece Tour is part of the National Gallery’s commitment to promote the understanding, knowledge and appreciation of Old Master paintings to as wide an audience as possible. This opportunity to bring hugely popular National Gallery paintings to the public’s doorstep is being made possible by the generous support of Christie’s.
