A SET of historic paintings has been saved for the North East by a £15m donation from a generous businessman.
Fears had been growing that the 12 paintings by 17th-Century Spanish artist Francisco Zurbaran hanging in Auckland Castle, Durham, would be lost to the region.
Earlier this month, it appeared that the Church Commissioners – who manage the Church of England’s assets – were pressing ahead with their sale.
But now North East born businessman Jonathan Ruffer has stepped in with a £15m donation amid plans for the castle to become a public heritage site.
Mr Ruffer, originally from Stokesley, near Middlesbrough, trained as a stockbroker and barrister before moving into investment management.
His donation through a new charitable body, the Zurbaran Trust, will ensure the portraits of Jacob and his sons remain at the castle, their home since 1756.
And the Church Commissioners will in turn be able to provide extra cash for the Church’s work in communities throughout the country.
Talks involving the National Trust and Durham County Council are also under way about opening up the castle – home of the Bishops of Durham for the past 800 years – and its grounds to provide greater public access. Further funds will need to be raised, with the Rothschild Foundation already committed to a donation of up to £1m towards this.
Discussions are also under way with the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Art Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Dr Richard Chartres, Bishop of London and acting chairman of the Commissioners, said: “Jonathan Ruffer’s generosity has made that rarest of scenarios possible – the best of both worlds.
“There is now an opportunity to create a leading arts and heritage centre in the North East, and a chance for both the Church of England and the Zurbaran Trust to contribute to the wider spiritual, social and economic regeneration in the region.”
Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman said: “The paintings belong in Auckland Castle. Now they have been saved the public will be able to enjoy them as they should.”
