Francisco de Zurbaran Portraits Valued to be Worth $24 Million
Jonathan Ruffer donated $24 million to Auckland Castle so that the Francisco de Zurbaran portraits could continue to hang in their original places and not be sold at auction.
Auckland Castle, the home of the Bishops of Durham, was the benefactor of a $24 million (£15 million) donation to keep the portraits by Spanish painter Francisco de Zurbaran in the castle.
Jonathan Ruffer, an investment manger, used the foundation of a new charitable trust to make the donation. This gift helped save a series of paintings of Jacob and his sons that was being discussed for auction due to the lack of funds in the Church of England.
The paintings were created between n1640 and 1645 showing Jacob and his 12 sons. Bishop Trevor acquired the paintings in 1756 for only £124. Nicholas Penny, director of the National Gallery said, “It is excellent news that the Zurbarans remain in their historic home and that the castle will be more accessible to the public.”
Posted by, Lauren Guzniczak