A rare painting by a master of modern art has gone on public display in Cardiff.
Still Life with Bottles, a 1942 work by Italian artist Giorgio Morandi, is now on show at National Museum Cardiff after being acquired by Amgueddfa Cymru through the Acceptance in Lieu scheme, which allows artworks to be gifted to the nation in place of inheritance tax.
The acquisition was supported by the Derek Williams Trust and Art Fund.
Ceri Jones, head of art at Amgueddfa Cymru, said: “Morandi is considered to be one of the most influential, modern artists of the 20th century.
“To have one of only a handful of his oil paintings that are in the UK on display at National Museum Cardiff is a welcome opportunity.”
Still Life with Bottles is one of just nine Morandi paintings in UK public collections and is the earliest still life.
The painting is currently displayed alongside Morandi’s etching Still Life with Drapery to the Left and other major works by Cézanne and Picasso.
Jenny Waldman, director of Art Fund, said: “This still life by Giorgio Morandi encourages us to look again at the everyday objects which he paints with muted intensity.”
