Public art boosted by tax scheme

Titian's Triumph of Love has been given to Oxford's Ashmolean Museum

Works of art by Titian and David Hockney are among almost £20m worth of cultural objects accepted in lieu of tax this year, it has been revealed.

Under the Acceptance in Lieu scheme, people can transfer important works of art into public ownership instead of making inheritance tax payments.

Items are then allocated to public museums, archives or libraries.

Works by Sir Anthony van Dyck and Thomas Gainsborough were also among items saved for the nation.

'Outstanding success'

In a written ministerial statement, Culture Minister Margaret Hodge said Titian's The Triumph of Love had been allocated to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, while the Tate had received Study for Doll Boy, and The Berliner and the Bavarian by David Hockney.

Norwich's Castle Museum has been allocated Landscape, by Thomas Gainsborough while Portrait of Princess Mary, by Van Dyck, will go on display at Hampton Court Palace.

Family archives, architectural drawings and historical artefacts - including a Japanese Edo period helmet - were among other items accepted under the scheme.

Ms Hodge said: "2008/09 has, once again, been a year of outstanding success for the Acceptance in Lieu scheme, with a wide range of cultural objects saved for the nation.

"All of these items will now be available for everyone to enjoy for all time."