Last week, representatives of the National Galleries of Scotland said that museum has managed to collect funds for is to redeem a masterpiece of Titian (Titian) «Diana and Acteon» from its owner, the Duke Sazerlendskogo . The painting on display at the National Gallery for over sixty years and is one of the most famous masterpieces of old masters in the UK. Last summer, Duke announced that sells fabric, if the museum did not buy him for 50 million pounds. Then the market value of «Diana and Acteon» estimated in the whole 150 million - believed that the owner of the work gave the National Gallery of great discount.

Of course, «to save Titian» rushed to the entire world - because to the National Gallery, one of the most famous museums in Scotland, it was a matter of prestige: many visitors come specifically to look at the «Diana and Acteon». Most of the museum helped the Scottish Government, which has donated paintings to purchase 17.5 million pounds.

Recently, however, National Audit Office of Great Britain published a letter which said that other National Gallery - London - called experts who assessed the market value of «Diana and Acteon» only 70 million pounds, the is the state would benefit far more if the duke did work exhibited for sale. Of these 70 million, almost half would have gone to the treasury: 26 million - as a deferred tax on the inheritance and five - as a tax on realized capital gains. But 50 million pounds, which the museum will pay the Duke, are not taxed.

Material prepared Yulia Maksimova

Sources: artinfo.com , artinvestment.ru