Zoffany Painting Unveiled At Ireland Gallery

Presented as a Heritage Gift to the National Gallery of Ireland under Section 1003 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997), the painting, by German-born artist, Johann Zoffany (1733-1810), will go on view to the public in the Beit Wing from 26 February.

Speaking at the unveiling, Minister Brennan said: "This painting is an outstanding artwork of heritage importance and its repatriation today to the National Gallery of Ireland is a significant achievement and greatly enhances the national collection. We are now seeing Irish business and wealth becoming ever more philanthropically inclined and here today I am pleased to see that our National Gallery is again the beneficiary of the Section 1003 scheme established by the Minister for Finance and administered by my Department. As the cost of artistic acquisitions becomes ever higher, it is necessary for all the National Cultural Institutions, with collections, to seek support from the private sector to ensure that important works relating to our heritage are retained for public viewing by these institutions. The benefits of this scheme are made clear to all when we view this splendid artwork here in our National Gallery."

Zoffany's Portrait of George Fitzgerald with his sons George and Charles, (c.1764), is thought to have been specially commissioned by George Fitzgerald of Turlough Park, Co. Mayo; then bequeathed to his younger son Charles, who inherited the estate in 1786. The picture, which left the family in 1900, was included in a recent Sotheby's (London) auction of 22 November 2007. There is an almost identical version of the painting, signed and dated 1764 (Private Collection, England). It has been suggested that one was painted for each son, which is consistent with Zoffany's practice (the other version has no provenance before 1928). The artist is not known to have had any assistants in his studio at this date.

"Since its inception in the late 1990's, S1003 has had a very positive and significant impact on the country's cultural institutions", says Raymond Keaveney, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland. Among some of the major works which have been presented as a gift to the Gallery under the tax relief scheme are; Antonio Canova's 'Amorino'; Gerrit van Honthorst's, 'A Musical Party', Louis le Brocquy's 'A Family', and Roderic O'Conor's 'Bretonne'. -- www.nationalgallery.ie