Public asked to save Rubens art

The sketch is valued at £11.5m

The public is being asked to help raise £6m needed to keep a valuable sketch by Peter Paul Rubens in the UK.

Called The Apotheosis of James I, the oil sketch was commissioned by Charles I for the ceiling of the Banqueting House in Whitehall, London.

The Art Fund has donated £500,000 towards buying the artwork, while Tate Britain has raised £1.5m through its members and private donors.

A website has been set up by the Art Fund to encourage the public to donate.

Dating from 1629-30, the Flemish Master's sketch is valued at £11.5m but is being offered to the Tate for £6m.

David Barrie, Director of The Art Fund, said: "This exquisite sketch shows Rubens at the very height of his powers and gives a vivid insight into how this great artist approached this enormously important and influential commission.

Tate Britain has put the artwork on show

"It is hard to think of any work of art that better deserves to be saved than this."

Rubens was one of the most celebrated artists of his time, and the sketch was commissioned while he was visiting Britain as an ambassador for King Philip IV of Spain.

The work is Rubens' first sketch for seven of the nine eventual component panels of the Whitehall ceiling.

It was put on show at Tate Britain on Tuesday alongside another sketch by Rubens, Apollo Bestowing Royal Liberality, Suppresses Avarice.

Stephen Deuchar, Director of Tate Britain said: "This Rubens work is the only sketch for the overall composition of the Banqueting House ceiling that exists and is a unique treasure in the history of British art.

"I am delighted that The Art Fund and Tate Members recognise the importance of this work and have given substantial sums towards saving it for the nation."