“The Descent from the Cross” is part of a group of four late paintings by Domingos Siqueira – together with “Ascension”, “Final Judgment” and “Adoration of the Magi”, the latter of which is already in the possession of the National Museum of Ancient Art through its acquisition through a public campaign It has now been purchased by a private Portuguese entity that remains unknown until now
The painting “Descida da Cruz”, by Domingos Siqueira, has been purchased by a private Portuguese entity, the Portuguese Museums and Monuments (MMP) announced on Tuesday, which confirmed that it had guaranteed the work's deposit and display in a national museum.
In a statement indicating that the details of the agreement and the identity of the private party would be revealed “until a moment soon,” the public company acknowledged that it had submitted a proposal to buy the painting for 850,000 euros from the Colnaghi Gallery. Which showed “Descent from the Cross” at the TEFAF International Exhibition in Maastricht, but the offer was rejected.
“The acquisition was carried out by a private national entity, in consultation with MMP, with the aim of bringing the business back to the country from the beginning, in accordance with the desire expressed by the owners,” the company managed by Pedro Sobrado added. Specifying that the purchase was made on Sunday.
Culture Minister Pedro Adao e Silva said last week in Madrid that contacts are continuing with the owners of the painting “Decida da Cruz” by artist Domingos Sequeira (1768-1837), and with the gallery that displayed the work. It is necessary to “wait for developments.”
He added: “Contacts have been made and we will wait for the situation to develop, so everything else is just speculation. I think the worst thing the state and the Ministry of Culture can do is to contribute to this speculation about the framework of action.” Pedro Adão e Silva said, in response to questions from journalists in Madrid. “Very much for the country.”
The Descent from the Cross is up for sale at the European Fine Arts Foundation (TEFAF) Art and Antiques Fair in Maastricht, Netherlands.
The work's departure from Portugal has been surrounded by controversy since the end of 2023, when the then General Directorate of Cultural Heritage decided to authorize its departure from the country, contrary to the advice of experts.
The Portuguese owners delivered the painting for sale at the end of 2023, after obtaining permission to leave Portugal, justifying this by “the absence of any legal burden.”
In February, the Portuguese Section of the International Council of Museums (ICOM-Portugal) expressed its dissatisfaction with the government over the conduct of the process that led to Domingos Sequeira's departure from the country and demanded official responses. A group of 12 specialists in the field of heritage also sent an open letter to the trusteeship in which they expressed their rejection of the process.
At the time, in response to the letter of 12 experts, the Secretary of State for Culture, Isabel Cordero, confirmed that “all efforts” were being made to find out “the possible terms of purchase” of the work.
For his part, the president of the Portuguese Association of Museology (APOM), João Neto, at the same time opposed the public acquisition of the painting, worth 1.2 million euros, in a context in which the country finds itself. hostage to speculative interests.”
“The Descent from the Cross” is part of a group of four late paintings by Domingos Siqueira – together with “Ascension”, “Final Judgment” and “Adoration of the Magi”, the latter of which is already in the possession of the National Museum of Ancient Art (MNAA) through acquisition through the General – carried out during the last years of his life, in Rome, where he died in 1837. At least one large preparatory study for the work, in the possession of the MNAA, has been classified as an asset of national interest.
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