The Dorset Museum is in a desperate race against time to raise £3.5 million (approximately $4.4 million) to save an "exceptionally rare" 15th-century triptych painting from being sold at auction in December. The religious artwork, which depicts five miracles of Christ, was discovered to be of extraordinary value when it was moved to Sotheby's for safekeeping during renovations at St. John's Almshouse in Sherborne, Dorset.
After Sotheby's valued the piece between £2.5 million and £3.5 million, the charity that owns the almshouse made the difficult decision to sell the altarpiece to fund new accommodation for people in need. Art experts have identified the triptych as the only surviving work of an unknown painter who was active in Brussels during the 15th century, making it an incredibly significant historical artifact.
The artwork has been described as "exceptionally rare" by specialists, having remarkably survived through religious purges and political upheaval for more than 500 years while housed in the almshouse chapel. Its survival through centuries of turmoil makes it even more valuable from both historical and artistic perspectives. The triptych has reportedly never left Dorset throughout its long history, adding to its significance for the county.
Claire Dixon, the museum's executive director, emphasized the importance of this acquisition for their collection. "We have no objects or artworks in our collection related to the Reformation," Dixon explained. "This would be the earliest artwork in our collection, in terms of paintings." She acknowledged the unprecedented scale of this fundraising effort, noting that while the museum has previously used export deferrals for artifacts worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, they have never attempted to raise millions.
Despite the daunting challenge, Dixon remains determined to try. "The scale is enormous, I don't know if we are going to be able to do it but I just think, what are we here for if we don't try?" she said. "I don't think it has ever left Dorset - its significance to the county is really important." The museum is currently asking the Arts Council for a temporary export deferral, which would give them additional time to raise the necessary funds to keep the artwork in the country and on public display.
With less than two weeks remaining until the scheduled auction, the museum has launched an intensive fundraising campaign that includes applying for various grants and establishing a crowdfunding initiative. Dixon revealed that she had first reached out to both the Sherborne Museum and The Sherborne Arts Centre to ensure they were "fully supportive" of the effort. "We don't want to tread on toes," she explained, demonstrating the collaborative approach being taken to save the artwork.
The financial pressures facing St. John's Almshouse provide context for the sale decision. The institution was forced to close its 19 retirement accommodation units in 2023 after they became financially unsustainable. Richard Hunt, the chairman of the almshouse, explained their position: "With the sale of this artwork, we have an important opportunity to protect the work that the charity can do for generations to come."
If the museum's fundraising efforts prove successful, officials have indicated they would explore the possibility of displaying the triptych in Sherborne, allowing it to remain close to its historical home. This would represent a compromise that honors both the artwork's heritage and the community's connection to this remarkable piece of religious art that has been part of Dorset's cultural landscape for more than five centuries.
