Councillors to decide if Christ of St John of the Cross leaves Kelvingrove
Last updated 13th Jun 2019
Salvador Dali’s famous painting – Christ of Saint John of the Cross – could be leaving Kelvingrove Art Gallery to go on show at exhibitions in England and Spain.
Glasgow councillors will decide whether to approve two short-term loans when they meet on Thursday.
The iconic work would play a key role in the opening of a Spanish gallery in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, before going on display in Dali’s birthplace, Figueres, Spain.
A report to councillors values the shipment at £30 million.
The Auckland Project, ran by Auckland Castle Trust, will see a Spanish gallery open in Market Place, Bishop Auckland, in summer next year.
Dali’s painting would be available to view from July 1 to October 2, 2020.
“The gallery is dedicated to Spanish art and it will display artworks from the medieval period onwards, with particular emphasis on the 16th and 17th century Spanish Golden Age,” Councillor John Letford, Council Business Manager and City Convener for Democratic Renewal, said.
Auckland Partnership Trust is collaborating with organisations in the UK, such as the National Gallery, as well as in Spain and America.
Glasgow City Council is currently seeking verification of the Trust’s Accredited status, as “it does not currently appear on the Art Council England’s online Accredited Museums List”.
The second loan would see the painting visit the Dali Theatre Museum in Spain between November 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021.
It could lead to partner opportunities which would support Glasgow Museums’ preliminary exploration of a possible Dali exhibition in Glasgow, the report reveals.
In most scenarios, Glasgow Life’s head of museums and collections has delegated authority to agree loans.
However, permission must be granted by Glasgow City Council to lend Christ of St John of the Cross.
“All risk measures are incorporated into a formal contract, a lending agreement, with the borrower which must be agreed by both Glasgow Museums and the borrower, and be signed in advance of release of any artworks,” Mr Letford said.
“The painting is conservation assessed as fit to travel and will have a full written condition report which is used as a benchmark against which all checks are made during the loan period."
“The painting has been fitted with laminated low reflective glass to provide additional protection while on display."
“Each venue will be assessed by Glasgow Museums to ensure that all requirements for the protection of the artworks can be delivered. This includes environmental, security and operational provisions.”
It is recommended the City Administration Committee approves the loan in principle pending confirmation the two borrowers can meet the terms and conditions of the loan