The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) have jointly acquired Lorenzo Bartolini’s circa 1821 marble sculpture “The Campbell Sisters Dancing a Waltz,” ensuring that the exceptional work will remain in the United Kingdom on public display. Subject to a temporary export bar in 2014, the sculpture was purchased for £523,800.
“The Campbell Sisters Dancing a Waltz,” which shows two full-length, life-size women in graceful movement, will go on show for the first time at the V&A in London this week where it will remain until November 20, 2015. It will then return to the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh where it will be on display until 2020.
Beth McKillop, Deputy Director and Director of Collections at the V&A, said, “We are excited that we have the opportunity to display The Campbell Sisters Dancing a Waltz at the V&A. Bartolini’s sculpture is a delightful work and an outstanding addition to the national collection of sculpture housed at the Museum.”
Michael Clarke, Director of the Scottish National Gallery, added, “We are thrilled that Bartolini’s masterpiece, which was sculpted in Florence and depicts two Scottish sitters, can continue to be seen in Scotland. For nearly two centuries it was on view in Inveraray Castle, Argyll, and most recently in the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh. Now it will return to the Gallery, where it links beautifully to many other great works of art in the national collection.”
