Appeal warning as nearly £1.4m is pledged to save Brueghel painting
But the Art Fund and the National Trust, who launched the bid to save The Procession to Calvary by Pieter Brueghel the Younger, which has been put up for sale, warn they are still some way off their target of 2.7m needed by Christmas to keep the historic painting on public display at Nostell Priory, near Wakefield.
Fiona Reynolds, director-general of the National Trust, which has owned 18th century Nostell Priory since 1954, said: "We are delighted that the fundraising appeal to save this wonderful painting is approaching 1.4m and our thanks go to everyone who has supported it so far.
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Hide Ad"But we have some way to go to keep it at Nostell Priory where it belongs."
The painting was completed in 1602, and is regarded as one of Brueghel the Younger's finest works.
Since the campaign was launched more than 10,000 people have offered their support.
This week, the campaign is included in The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2010, which aims to raise money for hundreds of charities by enabling donors to double their donations for free if made via the website www.thebiggive.org.uk/donate/nostell.