One of Glasgow's most famous works of art is to be taken off display from next month.
Salvador Dali's Christ of St John of the Cross will be on loan from Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum between July and December before returning to the city in early 2023.
The painting will be displayed at The Auckland Project's Spanish Gallery in England alongside El Greco's Christ on the Cross.
Acquired by Glasgow city in 1952 directly from the artist, Salvador Dalí’s Christ of St John of the Cross is one of the most celebrated and reproduced paintings of the 20th century.
Dalí’s Christ of St John of the Cross was last loaned to a UK institution in 2017, visiting London's Royal Academy. It has never been on display in the North East before.
The exhibition Dalí / El Greco will celebrate two of the most original and idiosyncratic painters in the history of art and compare their reinvention of the enduring subject of Christ on the Cross.
Former director of Glasgow Museums Dr. Tom Honeyman, who acquired the work on behalf of the city of Glasgow, expressed Dalí’s eagerness to loan the work as widely as possible, aligning with the Spanish Gallery's mission to make extraordinary examples of Spanish art available to the British public.
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Dr Honeyman said: “If I were ever asked what I would do with the Dalí, I think I would reply on these lines: Put it into circulation as much and as frequently as possible.”
Duncan Dornan, Glasgow Life’s Head of Museums and Collections, added: “This summer, the renowned Christ of St John of the Cross will be shown alongside another Spanish masterpiece by El Greco at The Spanish Gallery in Bishop Auckland.
"Displaying this treasured painting in a new way enables us to widen our understanding of the incredible artist, Salvador Dalí who painted this iconic artwork, which remains a favourite with Glaswegians and visitors to the city.
"It will go back on show at Kelvingrove early in 2023. Glasgow’s art collection is considered one of the finest in Europe and loaning key pieces allows people across the country to access and enjoy them, bolstering our reputation.
"These partnerships also allow visitors to Glasgow Life Museums to enjoy beautiful artworks from other important collections.”
