National Gallery Confirms Chagall Sale Halted
Marc Chagall, "The Eiffel Tower," 1929
oil on canvas, 39" x 32" (collection of the National Gallery of Canada, purchased 1956, accession number 6434)
The National Gallery of Canada released this message on April 26, 2018:
The National Gallery of Canada supports the steps taken by the Government of Québec to ensure that the painting Saint Jerome Hears the Trumpet of the Last Judgment by Jacques-Louis David remains in Canada. The work’s historic connection to our country and the Province of Québec is undeniable. Keeping the painting in Canada had been the intended result of considerable efforts by the National Gallery of Canada since 2016, when it was first offered for sale. We are pleased that this has been accomplished.
In regard to The Eiffel Tower by Marc Chagall, the decision to de-accession and sell this painting was not taken lightly. It involved careful, scholarly consideration by Gallery curators, the Board and its external advisors.
With David’s Saint Jerome no longer at risk of leaving the country, the National Gallery’s Board of Trustees has concluded that it is no longer necessary to proceed with the sale of The Eiffel Tower on May 15, 2018 as originally planned; The Eiffel Tower will remain in the national collection.
We value the passionate views we heard in recent days concerning this matter and the public’s affection for the national collection.
Source: National Gallery of Canada - April 26, 2018
