Palma Vecchio, The Holy Family with St. Jerome, St. Justina, St. Ursula and St. Bernardino of Siena. Courtesy National Trust

Ten paintings have been saved for the public and will go on display at Penrhyn Castle near Bangor this spring in another Acceptance in Lieu scheme success story.

The artwork, including a painting by major Renaissance Venetian Palma Vecchio, was accepted by the Government in lieu of inheritance tax under the Inheritance Tax Act 1984. The total value of the works is over £4 million and will add to the largest private collection in north Wales at the National Trust property.

“We welcome this announcement,” said Joan Bayliss, Property Manager at Penrhyn Castle, “as it’s very important that paintings such as these are preserved, forever, for the nation. They could easily have been sold and gone overseas.”

Willem van der Velde, Sea View during a Calm. Courtesy National Trust

The paintings saved include a seascape by the important 17th century Dutch painter Willem van der Velde (the only example of his work in Wales); the outstanding Portrait of Viscount Millington by Allan Ramsey, one of the finest British painters of the 18th century; and three exceptional watercolours of views in the Middle East by the Victorian artist Carl Haag.

Penrhyn’s collection is composed chiefly of 16th century Venetian and 17th century Spanish and Dutch art, and is particularly special in that the works are hung in context, as they would have been originally by owners in centuries gone by.

George Romney, Richard Pennant, 1st Baron Penrhyn of Penrhyn. Courtesy National Trust

Edward Gordon Douglas-Pennant, 1st Lord Penrhyn of Llandygai, bought most of the original collection through London art dealer CJ Nieuwenhuys. His taste was quite specific and he bought paintings for pleasure, not merely investment.

Works were moved between the family’s properties for them to enjoy, but Lord Penrhyn’s daughter Alice managed to catalogue the entire collection, providing what is still the main source of reference for the paintings. The Director of the National Gallery, Sir Walter Armstrong, advised Alice and was called in to help when George, 2nd Lord Penrhyn re-hung the paintings by school.

Penrhyn Castle will re-open to visitors on March 25 2006.