Priceless collection of old masters bequest collector Denis Mahon transferred to six museums and galleries in Britain, including London's National Gallery. The gift includes paintings Guercino, Guido Reni, Luca Giordano, etc.

Guido Reni The Rape of Europa. Around 1637-1639
Collection Dennis Mahon
transferred to the National Gallery, London
Source: artfund.org

priceless collection of 57 paintings by Italian old masters bequest collector Denis Mahon (Denis Mahon) convey to the people of Britain. Canvas to be painted by artists such as Guercino (Guercino), Guido Reni (Guido Reni), Domenichino (Domenichino), Ludovico Carracci (Ludovico Carracci), Luca Giordano (Luca Giordano), Pietro de Cortona (Pietro de Cortona), Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini (Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini) and Giuseppe Maria Crespi (Giuseppe Maria Crespi). Mahon collection is estimated at 100 million pounds.

These works have long been leased to state museums on the condition of free access to visitors. Last Will Mahoney, who died in 2011 at the age of 100 years, build on these paintings for museums. According to the will of the collector, access to the pictures must still be free and will not be sold. National Gallery in London got 25 works, 12 paintings to the Museum Ashmole in Oxford, 8 pieces departed the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh, 6 papers presented Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, 5 - museums and art galleries in Birmingham, and, finally, one more work remains to estate of Temple Newsome House in Leeds.

Sir Denis Mahon, heir to the Marquis Sligo and Guinness Mahon banking empire, began collecting art in the 1930s. According to rumors, he never spent more than two thousand pounds for a single work. Dennis Mahon was one of the leading experts on the Italian Baroque painting. Critical and artistic merit Mahon in 1957 were awarded medals of Italian president. Collector for many years engaged in charity. In addition to the 57 works he also bequeathed to the Art Fund charity Britain 1 million pounds in cash.

bequeath Britain Denis Mahon collection can be seen Online Art Fund .

Prepared Maria Onuchina, AI

Source: bbc . co.uk , artdaily.com , artfund.org , artinvestment.ru