Museum acquisitions

Museums often acquire works through donations but, in spite of funding constraints, they also make purchases to expand their collections, either bidding at auctions, negotiating private treaty sales or, in the UK, via the Acceptance in Lieu scheme.

Walpole’s cat-killing fish bowl returns to Strawberry Hill

24 October 2022

A Chinese jardiniere once used as a fish bowl by Horace Walpole (1717-97) is to return to his Strawberry Hill home.

Pick of the week: American who fought against independence

17 October 2022

While many US museums display portraits of famous Patriots from the War of Independence, especially the likes of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Nathanael Greene, pictures of Loyalists are less common in their collections.

Rare copy of Jane Austen’s Emma to go on display in the UK after US buyer agrees loan deal via book dealer

06 October 2022

A rare copy of Jane Austen’s Emma will go on display at Chawton House, the former home of the novelist’s brother, after an arrangement was agreed with the US buyer of the book and dealer Peter Harrington.

Bath astronomy museum to raise £108,000 to buy manuscript via Christie’s private sale

28 September 2022

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath has launched a fundraising campaign to buy a Caroline Herschel memoir.

BADA Friends supports contemporary museum acquisition

16 August 2022

The Friends of the BADA has given £500 to support the Bethlem Museum of the Mind in the acquisition of a new work.

National Trust snaps up Castlereagh’s silver inkstand ahead of exhibition

11 August 2022

The National Trust has acquired a silver inkstand used by Viscount Castlereagh (1769-1822), the Anglo-Irish politician and statesman.

National Gallery acquires two paintings via government tax scheme

09 August 2022

Two Italian pictures have joined the National Gallery’s collection via the government’s inheritance tax scheme.

Museums make 300 new purchases thanks to Art Fund

27 June 2022

Close to 300 objects and works of art found permanent homes in UK museums and galleries thanks to contributions from the Art Fund charity, a new report reveals.

Ceramics dealer E&H Manners buys Nicholas Sprimont portrait again – this time for the V&A

13 June 2022

A historically significant portrait of Nicholas Sprimont (1716-71) is set to stay in the UK after dealer Errol Manners sold it for the second time in his career – this time to the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Mary, Queen of Scots silver casket sold to Scottish museum for £1.8m

24 May 2022

A casket believed to have once belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots has been bought by the National Museum of Scotland with help from donors and art funds.

Derby museum brings Wright of Derby painting ‘home’

16 May 2022

A Wright of Derby (1734-97) self-portrait, in private hands for 250 years, has been bought by Derby Museum and Art Gallery with the help of donations and a government tax scheme.

Princeton University Art Museum revealed as buyer of picture by female Pre-Raphaelite artist

05 May 2022

A work by Rebecca Solomon (1832-86) offered at Sotheby’s was bought by The Princeton University Art Museum.

Brontë mini book heads home to Haworth after £1m raised to buy it from New York dealer

28 April 2022

A rediscovered miniature book by Charlotte Brontë has been sold at a New York book fair.

Sitwell portrait returns to Scarborough

21 April 2022

A Sitwell portrait is returning home after Scarborough Museums Trust bought it at a Newbury auction.

Dealers finalise institutional sales

18 April 2022

Several dealerships have completed sales to institutions after the winter showing of London Art Week (LAW).

Capturing ‘the sentiments of a recovering nation’

18 April 2022

The original watercolour draught for Sydney Harbour Bridge that featured on the front page of ATG No 2538 was bought by the Australian National Maritime Museum, it has been revealed.

Public appeal saves Hogarth portrait of Horace Walpole for his home Strawberry Hill

16 April 2022

The funds necessary to keep a portrait of Horace Walpole on display at his former home Strawberry Hill have been raised following a public appeal.

Artist Sarah Biffin in double spotlight

04 April 2022

Self-portrait sold to National Portrait Gallery by dealer who also plans an exhibition

Rome gallery makes Bourbon drawing sale to Hamburg museum