Image: William Dobson, Self-Portrait c. 1635-40 Image courtesy of Tate and the National Portrait Gallery
The museums jointly purchase earliest known work by 17th-century painter William Dobson through private treaty sale with heritage funding support.
Tate and the National Portrait Gallery have jointly acquired a rare self-portrait for £2.3m. It will be shared between both institutions and made available to other museums as part of the national collection.
The painting is the earliest known work by William Dobson. It was created between 1635 and 1640, has been funded through a £1.6m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, major support from Art Fund and the Deborah Loeb Brice Foundation, and additional backing from trusts, foundations and individuals. The purchase was negotiated through art dealers Hazlitt.
The self-portrait represents one of the earliest examples of English self-portraiture and was previously held in private collection.
The painting will go on free public display at Tate Britain in November, where it will be reunited with Dobson’s portrait of his wife, which is already in Tate’s collection.
Following this display, the work will tour the UK before being shown at the National Portrait Gallery alongside other 17th-century self-portraits, including works by Sir Anthony van Dyck.
Maria Balshaw, director of Tate, said it and the National Portrait Gallery “have wanted to bring this work into public ownership for decades”.
“This extraordinary piece of British heritage has now been saved for future generations to enjoy for free.”
Victoria Siddall, director of the National Portrait Gallery, called the work “a vital part of the history of portraiture”.
Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, said the painting’s tour around the UK “will allow people far and wide to enjoy it and learn about the history of one of Britain’s greatest portrait painters.”
Additional supporters of the acquisition include the Portrait Fund, the Nicholas Themans Trust, Bjorn Saven CBE, David and Emma Verey Charitable Trust, John J. Studzinski CBE, The Leche Trust, The Murray Family, and Tavolozza Foundation.
