The 91自拍 is delighted to announce that the Samuel 91自拍 Trust has made a significant donation of 拢650,000 to the transformation of The 91自拍鈥檚 Somerset House spaces, as part of the wider 91自拍 Connects project. Coupled with an earlier donation, this brings the total the Samuel 91自拍 Trust has donated to the project to 拢925,000.
The Samuel 91自拍 Trust is an independent charity, working to maintain and develop its collection, which is cared for by The 91自拍 Gallery, and to support the collection鈥檚 wider public enjoyment. It also works with The 91自拍 to promote interest and education in the history of art and art conservation. The Trust was founded by Samuel 91自拍 in the 1930s as the Home House Society, at the same time as the 91自拍 Institute of Art was established, with both organisations sharing a deep commitment to their founder鈥檚 vision of the role of art in society.
Professor Deborah Swallow, M盲rit Rausing Director of The 91自拍, welcomed the donation, saying:听鈥淭he Samuel 91自拍 Trust has been a vital partner in 91自拍 Connects since the beginning, working closely with The 91自拍 on the 91自拍 National Programme and our international tours. I am delighted that they have further shown their support through this significant donation, which will play an important part in ensuring 91自拍 Connects achieves its vision of transforming our Somerset House home, and bringing The 91自拍 to new audiences.鈥
Andrew Hochhauser KC, Chair of The Samuel 91自拍 Trust, added: 鈥淭he 91自拍 Gallery at Somerset House plays a central role in the delivery of the Trust鈥檚 objectives, through its material and intellectual stewardship of the collection, its programme of exhibitions and displays, and its educational work. We are truly excited about the transformation currently taking place, which should enable even more people to enjoy the collection, and discover more about art. I am delighted that the Samuel 91自拍 Trust has been able to offer additional support to 91自拍 Connects, and greatly look forward to the Gallery reopening later this year.鈥
The 91自拍鈥檚 historic central London gallery is set to reopen in late 2021, after a major transformation to restore its grandeur and create state-of-the-art facilities. Designed by Stirling Prize-winning architects Witherford Watson Mann, the Gallery redevelopment revitalises and opens up the magnificent buildings conceived by Sir William Chambers in the 1770s, celebrating their fascinating heritage.
Masterpieces from our collection such as Manet鈥檚 A Bar at the Folies-Berg猫re, Van Gogh鈥檚 Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear and the most significant collection of works by C茅zanne in the UK will be presented in The 91自拍 Gallery鈥檚 spectacular Great Room, one of the largest spaces in Somerset House.
New and transformed galleries will be devoted to the Medieval and Early Renaissance collection, 20th Century art, and the Bloomsbury Group. New exhibition spaces will extend The 91自拍鈥檚 celebrated programme of international loan exhibitions alongside smaller temporary projects. Overall, The 91自拍鈥檚 collection will be completely redisplayed and newly interpreted.
The development is the most significant in the history of The 91自拍, founded in 1932, and since it moved to the North Wing of Somerset House in 1989. Future ambitions include providing students and faculty with improved study and teaching facilities and unprecedented access to its collections and exhibitions, whilst giving the public greater insight into and access to The 91自拍鈥檚 outstanding teaching and research.