New Acquisition At The National Gallery, London

The National Gallery has acquired 'The Lottery in Piazza di Montecitorio' by Giovanni Paolo Panini (1740s, probably 1747), one of the artist's most extraordinary depictions of contemporary life.

Panini was the most successful view painter in 18th-century Rome, and his paintings remain some of the most impressive images of the Eternal City ever created. In his own lifetime, Panini's reputation rivalled that of Canaletto in Venice. Although Panini was a popular artist with British tourists, present holdings of his work in British public collections are small.

The acquisition of 'The Lottery in Piazza di Montecitorio' adds variety and depth to the National Gallery's collection of Canaletto and Guardi - one of the best in the world. Two paintings by Panini and his workshop are already in the collection - 'Roman Ruins with Figures' and 'The Interior of St Peter's'. 'The Lottery in Piazza di Montecitorio' adds a well preserved, and undeniably autograph, work by the best Roman view painter.

'The Lottery in Piazza di Montecitorio' illustrates Panini's gifts as a master of architectural perspective and as a painter of everyday life with brilliantly orchestrated figural groups.

The painting shows a large crowd of people assembled to witness the lottery draw taking place on the balcony of the Palazzo di Montecitorio in Rome - something which occurred nine times a year from 1743 onwards. The majority of Panini's works show more conventional views of Rome, and 'The Lottery in Piazza di Montecitorio' is a rare example of him portraying contemporary events. In this case, the painting affords a connection across the centuries because the lottery remains the game of chance most favoured today and will surely intrigue a broader spectrum of the public than the usual old master paintings.

'The Lottery in Piazza di Montecitorio' (oil on canvas, 105 x 165cm) has not been seen in public for more than 70 years - it was last exhibited in 'Old Views of Rome' (Agnews,1935).

'The Lottery in Piazza di Montecitorio' has been acquired by the National Gallery under the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council Acceptance in Lieu scheme, which allows donors to leave major works of art to the nation in lieu of inheritance tax. An AIL hybrid arrangement reduced the £5 million cost of the painting to £1.8 million for a public institution. 'The Lottery in Piazza di Montecitorio' was acquired with the assistance of The Art Fund, who contributed £150,000 towards its purchase. The painting's purchase was negotiated through Christie's.

Following cleaning and restoration, 'The Lottery in Piazza di Montecitorio' will go on view in Room 39 of the National Gallery, alongside view paintings by Canaletto and Guardi. -- www.nationalgallery.org.uk