Image: L-R Guercino, 'King David', 1651 (c) Private Collection; John Deare, 'Eleanor and Edward', 1790. Courtesy of the estate of Jacob, 4th Baron Rothschild
Two significant artworks from the late Jacob Rothschild’s collection have been allocated to national museums through the Acceptance in Lieu scheme, settling £6.72m in tax.
The legacy of Jacob, 4th Baron Rothschild, who died in February 2024, is being celebrated with two artworks from his collection joining the National Gallery and Victoria & Albert Museum through the Acceptance in Lieu scheme.
The National Gallery will receive Guercino’s “King David” (1651), reuniting it with two pendant works already in the collection, while the V&A will receive “Edward and Eleanor” (1790), a marble relief by John Deare, considered one of the most talented Neoclassical sculptors of the late 18th century.
The acceptance of the Guercino painting settled £5,600,000 in tax, while the Deare sculpture settled £1,120,000.
Baron Rothschild served as Chair of Trustees at the National Gallery between 1985 and 1998, and also led the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the family’s flagship, Waddesdon Manor. His service was recognised with a GBE, a CVO and as a member of the Order of Merit.
Sir Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, said, “As we continue to celebrate our 200th anniversary it is very fitting we remember Jacob, 4th Baron Rothschild and his legacy on the Gallery. He was brilliant, knowledgeable and refined, with an ability to make things happen and to bring people and institutions with him. The National Gallery transformations in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s – including the construction of the Sainsbury Wing – were, in large measure, due to his energy and vision.”
John Deare’s “Edward and Eleanor” will be installed in the British Galleries at V&A South Kensington later this year, marking its first public display. The V&A will host an international conference in May 2025 where the relief will be featured in a spotlight presentation.
Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, said, “These remarkable acquisitions, made possible by the Acceptance in Lieu scheme, will forever represent Lord Rothschild’s legacy as a great connoisseur, champion of the arts and relentless supporter of British cultural institutions.”
Michael Clarke CBE, Chair of the Acceptance in Lieu Panel said: ‘The allocation of these wonderful works to two of the nation’s most visited cultural institutions underlines the continuing importance of the Acceptance in Lieu scheme in sustaining and enriching our cultural life. The Guercino will feature prominently in the new redisplay at the National Gallery, and the sculpture by Deare will headline the V&A’s exciting forthcoming international conference on Italian-British artistic exchange. Both these outstanding works of art will impact and thrill visitors for generations to come.’
