From the National Gallery, 12 November 2015
Rembrandt’s Self Portrait at the Age of 63, a much-loved work from the National Gallery Collection, is going on tour in January 2016 as the final painting in the three-year Masterpiece Tour.
The three UK host venues for 2016 are the Ulster Museum, Belfast; Abbot Hall, Kendal; and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.
The Masterpiece Tour is part of the National Gallery’s commitment to promote the understanding, knowledge, and appreciation of Old Master paintings to as wide an audience as possible. This opportunity to bring hugely popular National Gallery paintings to the public’s doorstep is being made possible by the generous support of Christie’s.
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
21 May – 17 July 2016
The final venue in the Masterpiece Tour is Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. Situated inside a grand Edwardian Baroque building, the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is home to a number of world-class collections. The museum boasts 20 galleries that tell the story of our world from the beginning of time to the present day.
Laura Pye, Head of Culture at Bristol City Council, says:
“We are delighted to have been selected to host Rembrandt’s ‘Self Portrait at the Age of 63’ as part of the National Gallery’s Masterpiece Tour 2016. The painting will be a fitting addition to our European Old Masters gallery which will undergo a significant refurbishment in anticipation of the loan. Bristol’s fine art collection holds an international reputation and this prestigious painting will be a fantastic new attraction that will give both residents and visitors to the city the opportunity to enjoy magnificent art in a beautiful setting.”