Nicolas Poussin’s The Triumph of Pan, a much-loved work from the National Gallery’s Collection, is travelling the UK in 2019.

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Nicolas Poussin’s The Triumph of Pan, a much-loved work from the National Gallery’s Collection, is travelling the UK in 2019.

The three venues for the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2019 are Victoria Art Gallery, Bath; York Art Gallery; and Auckland Castle, part of The Auckland Project, County Durham.

Over a period of one year the annual National Gallery Masterpiece Tour offers three museums and galleries outside London the opportunity to display a major work from the Gallery’s collection.

The Gallery is committed to sharing the collection throughout the UK, and the Masterpiece Tour, made possible by the generous support of Christie’s, this year enables those in north and south west England to access one of its masterpieces in their own region.

The piece will be on display at:

  • Victoria Art Gallery, Bath, 11 April – 7 July 2019
  • York Art Gallery 12 July – 22 September 2019
  • Auckland Castle, part of The Auckland Project, County Durham, 5 October 2019 – 5 January 2020

Jennifer Alexander, Curator of Fine Art at York Art Gallery, said: ‘We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to host the National Gallery Masterpiece tour of The Triumph of Pan by Nicolas Poussin next year, and look forward to building a collections show around this remarkable painting.

“Works from our collection by masters such as Dughet, Bernini, Domenichino and others will be brought together to explore the life, career and legacy of Poussin as well as the mythological characters he depicts.

“We are certain that this show will be hugely popular with our visitors.”

Dr Gabriele Finaldi, of the National Gallery, said: “The Masterpiece Tour gives us the opportunity to share a great painting with people across the country. Poussin’s mythological masterpiece will be shown in Bath, York and Bishop Auckland where some fascinating and very varied programmes are planned. We are much looking forward to the Tour.”

Orlando Rock, UK Chairman of Christie’s, of Christie’s UK, said: ‘‘Christie’s strongly believes in the role that art and collecting play in the world today – and in the vital importance of art being accessible to all, so we are delighted to be again supporting the National Gallery’s 2019 Masterpiece Tour.

“Regional museums play a vital role in enriching the cultural life of the country – so it is deeply rewarding to know that Poussin’s arcadian vision from Cardinal Richelieu’s Collection will now be enjoyed by the people of Bath, York and Bishop Auckland.”

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.

In 2018 Hans Holbein the Younger’s A Lady with a Squirrel and a Starling went on display at The New Art Gallery Walsall; Shetland Museum & Archives; and Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, with audiences of more than 45,000 across the first two tour venues.

The Gallery is now inviting proposals from museums and galleries across the UK for the 2020 tour.