Our triptych has sold for £5.7m to help fund our charity’s ongoing mission to provide housing for those in need and the buyer hopes to loan it to Sherborne.
The three-panelled altarpiece, which was removed from the Almshouse for safekeeping during refurbishment work in the spring, was appraised by medieval Flemish art experts at Sotheby’s and valued at £3.5m.
Transformative
Chair of our Trustees, Richard Hunt explains: “The painting was included in Sotheby’s Sale of Old Master and 19th Century Paintings in London yesterday evening (December 3) and we were thrilled to see the importance of this extraordinary painting fully recognised by those who competed for it. This outcome represents a transformative moment for the Almshouse.”
The vibrantly coloured, perfectly preserved triptych, newly-established to have been painted in Brussels in 1480-90, captures, in detail, the Five Miracles of Christ. The painting more than doubled its pre-sale estimate of £2.5-3.5million, selling for £5.7million.
Public loan
“The winning bidder, who wishes to remain anonymous, is a Christian charitable foundation.
“They are committed to long-term links with the local community of Sherborne and wish to make the triptych available on a regular basis as a public loan in the town in the future.
Supporting independent living
“For five centuries our mission has been to provide accommodation for local people in need. The proceeds of this sale will enable us not only to safeguard that mission for generations to come, but also to act on it immediately, creating new homes and supporting independent living for those who are facing hardship.
Legacy – changing local lives
“Recent research on the painting has cemented its art historical importance – something that will be of value to generations of art lovers and scholars for many years to come. Beyond that, though, its legacy will also now live on in the lives it helps to positively change locally here in Sherborne.”