LONDON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Three famous paintings from the National Gallery collection are to be visiting galleries and museums around the country between 2014 and 2016.
These paintings are Manet's The Execution of Maximilian, Canaletto's A Regatta on the Grand Canal and Rembrandt's Self Portrait at the Age of 63.
The tour is part of the National Gallery's aim to promote the understanding, knowledge and appreciation of Old Master paintings.
Supported by Christie's. These masterpieces will be going on the road one each year, from January to July.
The first painting, The Execution of Maximilian, depicts the fatal moment when Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian was captured by Mexican forces and executed alongside two of his generals in 1867.
"The National Gallery was created for the benefit of the British public, but it must be acknowledged that many members of that public find it difficult and expensive to come to Trafalgar Square," said Dr. Nicholas Penny.
"We hope that the masterpieces sent on these tours will reach people who have never visited their national collection or haven't done so for ages and we hope that many of those whom we do reach then feel inspired to visit or revisit," he said.
Steven Murphy, CEO of Christie's, said that the firm has seen a significant cultural shift over the past few years, as more and more people engage with art.
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