Sir, I can confirm that Tate would like to acquire J. M. W. Turner’s watercolour the Dark Rigi (letter, June 10).
The proceeds from the recovery of the two paintings by Turner stolen in 1994 have been used to establish an acquisitions endowment for Tate and we fully intend to use some of the income to help to acquire this important watercolour.
If it were possible to acquire the work, Tate would be required to match the recommended fair market price of £2.7 million agreed by the reviewing committee on the export of works of art and it would therefore be necessary to secure additional financial support from other sources.
SIR NICHOLAS SEROTA
Director, Tate