Today Tate announced that the first preparatory sketch made by Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) for his magnificent scheme of ceiling paintings in the Banqueting House, Whitehall, has been saved, thanks to the last-minute intervention of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Tate Members and The Art Fund, all of whom increased their original pledges on the day of the final deadline, 30 September 2008.

Historic Royal Palaces is delighted at the news that the sketch has been saved. As the sketch is an integral part of the story of the unique ceiling paintings at the Banqueting House, Historic Royal Palaces supported Tate Britain’s campaign to raise the funds required to secure the sketch for the nation by hosting the launch of the campaign on 5 June 2008 at the Banqueting House Whitehall, uniting Rubens' preparatory sketch and the resulting ceiling paintings for probably the first time since their completion in 1634.

David Starkey joined the public campaign to save the work in June when the sketch was united with the paintings of the Banqueting House ceiling in Whitehall for the very first time.  Speaking about the sketch, David Starkey said:  “This work is of the utmost significance to British history. The Banqueting House with its stunning Rubens ceiling is all that remains of the original Whitehall Palace after it was destroyed by fire in 1698. The ceiling was originally commissioned by James I of England and VI of Scotland to celebrate his achievement in bringing about the peaceful union of Scotland and England with his accession to the English throne after the death of Elizabeth I. The Banqueting House ceiling is the most important painting set within an architectural context in England and this sketch is the key to its composition.  The loss of the sketch would have been a fundamental betrayal of our national heritage and I am delighted that it will remain on public display in London.” 

We encourage visitors to come to the Banqueting House Whitehall to see for themselves the scale and magnificence of the finished product of the sketch, especially as the ceiling paintings are the only Rubens work to remain today in their original location.  As a conservation charity with no funding from the Government and the Crown, visitors will also be supporting us in our charitable work to ensure the Banqueting House and its Rubens ceiling paintings survive for future generations to enjoy.