Murillo altarpiece returns

Walker redisplays a masterpiece, following revealing conservation work

The Walker Art Gallery has welcomed back Virgin and Child in Glory (1673), an altarpiece by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617-1682), following a major conservation project. The project has revealed more about the dramatic history of the painting, and about the skills and techniques employed by the renowned Spanish artist.

The altarpiece was originally commissioned by the Archbishop of Seville (1670-1684) Ambrosio Ignacio Spínola y Guzmán, to form the centrepiece of a private chapel in his palace. However, in the late 18^th century its central section was cut out and a copy was inserted. In 1862, the original pieces were reunited, before it was acquired by the Walker in 1953.

For the first time, the copy is displayed next to the original altarpiece, along with a modello (preparatory study) which would likely have been produced by the artist to show to his patron before commencing work on the large altarpiece. The Walker is the only gallery to own both a preparatory oil study by Murillo and the large finished altarpiece for which the study was made.     

The conservation work, funded by the Art Fund, is the first to have been carried out on the altarpiece in more than 150 years. Conservators at National Museums Liverpool used infrared reflectography to observe underdrawings on the artwork; sketches and initial outlines that were sometimes disregarded as the artist’s approach to the composition evolved.

Xanthe Brooke, Curator of European Art at National Museums Liverpool, said:

Murillo was one of the great artists of 17^th century Spain, renowned internationally for his painting and draughtsmanship, which influenced many 18^th century British painters. By 1682, he was the most famous Spanish artist outside his homeland, better known than his compatriot Velázquez.

The large Virgin and Child in Glory altarpiece (h.2360 x w.1690mm) depicts a dark-haired Virgin Mary wearing a deep blue cloak over a red robe, holding in her arms a seated, fair-haired baby Jesus. The Virgin is standing on a base of clouds surrounded by cherubs in a wide variety of different poses, who emerge from a golden heaven.

Pigment analysis was also undertaken, demonstrating the use of costly blue ultramarine paint on the Virgin Mary’s robes. In contrast, a Prussian blue paint was used on the copy. Prussian blue was invented in 1706 – forty years after the original altarpiece was made by Murillo. This suggests that the copy is likely to have been painted in the 18^th century.

By the early 19^th century, the central section was in the possession of a retired linen draper in London, while the rest of the altarpiece was looted by a French general and taken to Paris. The works were eventually reunited under the ownership of Lord Overstone, a trustee of the National Gallery. X-ray analysis has allowed conservators to observe the skilful reinsertion work which was carried out by London restorer George Morrill.

It is not known why the central section of the altarpiece was replaced with a copy, or who the copyist was. Infrared analysis has revealed that the artist drew in freehand around a crossed line to locate the centre of the Virgin Mary’s face; a technique traditionally taught in drawing academies. The discovery of the artist’s drawing style may help to identify them in the future.

As part of the conservation work, damages and losses to both the modello and the altarpiece have been addressed. On the altarpiece, retouching has balanced the subtle differences that developed between the two sections of the painting while they were separated, as well as reducing any distraction around the cutting line where the central section was removed.

The recently-acquired preparatory sketch, the copy of the central section and the finished altarpiece are currently on display in Room 3 at the Walker Art Gallery. Find out more at www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/murillo

Free entry
Open daily 10am-5pm                                                                     @walkergallery
Walker Art Gallery

William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EL                                     Facebook/walkerartgallery

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker
Telephone 0151 478 4199  

Notes to Editors

About the Walker Art Gallery

The Walker Art Gallery houses an internationally-renowned collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative art. It is one of Europe’s finest galleries, with a collection that ranges from outstanding modern and contemporary works to Medieval and Renaissance masterpieces. Some of the greatest British artists of the last century are represented in the contemporary galleries, from Lucian Freud to David Hockney, while the Gallery’s Impressionist collection is not to be missed. Visitors can also see paintings by 17th and 18th century masters including Poussin, Rembrandt and Gainsborough, before taking in the Walker’s famed Pre-Raphaelite collection. Younger visitors will love Big Art for Little Artists, a gallery designed to introduce children to art in a fun and interactive way. The Walker Art Gallery is an Arts Council Collection National Partner. Between April 2016 and March 2019, the Gallery will curate and host an exciting and innovative series of contemporary art exhibitions, drawn from the Arts Council Collection. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker

About National Museums Liverpool

National Museums Liverpool comprises eight venues, including some of the most visited museums in England outside of London. Our collections are among the most important and varied in Europe and contain everything from Impressionist paintings and rare beetles to a lifejacket from the Titanic. We attract around 3 million visitors every year. Our venues are the Museum of Liverpool, World Museum, the Walker Art Gallery, Merseyside Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, Border Force National Museum, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Art Gallery. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

National Museums Liverpool is regulated by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Museums and galleries regulated by DCMS are exempt charities under Schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011. Registered Office: World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EN.

About the Art Fund

Art Fund is the national fundraising charity for art. In the past five years alone Art Fund has given £34 million to help museums and galleries acquire works of art for their collections. It also helps museums share their collections with wider audiences by supporting a range of tours and exhibitions, and makes additional grants to support the training and professional development of curators. Art Fund is independently funded, with the core of its income provided by 123,000 members who receive the National Art Pass and enjoy free entry to over 240 museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, as well as 50% off entry to major exhibitions and subscription to Art Quarterly magazine. In addition to grant-giving, Art Fund’s support for museums includes Art Fund Museum of the Year (won by the The Hepworth Wakefield in 2017) and a range of digital platforms. Find out more about Art Fund and the National Art Pass at www.artfund.org. For further information please contact Emma Phillips, Press Relations Manager, EPhillips@artfund.org / 0207 225 4804