CHESTER'S Grosvenor Museum has unveiled a major new acquisition. The museum has purchased a 16th century painting of Christ Blessing with the help of grants from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Grosvenor Museum Society. The painting was presented to Heswall Parish Church in 1893, but was sold by the church to help raise funds for a new community centre. Christ Blessing was painted in oil on a wood panel in the 1520s in the studio of Quinten Metsys (1466-1530), the leading artist in early 16th century Antwerp. It shows the half-length figure of Christ making the sign of blessing with his right hand. 'This wonderful painting is displayed in the museum's Art Gallery, where it significantly enhances the enjoyment and learning of our visitors,' said Peter Boughton, the museum's Keeper of Art and Architecture. 'It greatly enriches our small collection of Old Master paintings, and significantly improves the representation of Christianity - one of the great themes of Western art - in our collection.' Lord Mayor of Chester Sandra Rudd said: 'Chester City Council is deeply grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund and the other funders for helping the Grosvenor Museum to acquire this outstanding work of art, thus saving for Cheshire a painting which has been in the public realm in the county for over a century.' | 
