A PIANO is now situated in the atrium of Southmead Hospital to entertain patients thanks to funding from the sale of an historic painting.

The Steck Boudoir Grand piano was purchased through the sale of a landscape oil painting by English artist Henry William Banks Davis.

The piece entitled Declin Du Soleil is of a French landscape painted in 1890 and sold at auction earlier this month for £2,400.

A programme of live musical performances, involving the piano, is planned as part of the hospital’s Fresh Arts initiative to use the arts to promote health and wellbeing.

The painting had been in storage for the last four years since the demolition of one of the old Southmead Hospital buildings to make way for the new hospital.

But the painting was so big that a space large enough to hold it could not be found in the new building.

Ruth Sidgwick, Fresh Arts manager at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “It was so heavy it took four men to lift it off the wall.

“As we didn’t have anywhere to accommodate it, we thought it may be worth something but were surprised to see it do so well at auction.

“We are thrilled that the sale raised so much and that we did not have to do any other fundraising for the piano, which will add a real sense of atmosphere to the hospital.

“We already have a constant programme of live music performances in the hospital, which patients, staff and visitors love – live music is a great vehicle for patients to be transported beyond the hospital, helping them to relax and to enhance their wellbeing.”

The painting was donated to Winford Hospital by Sir Lionel Goodenough Taylor, chairman and treasurer of the hospital between 1930 and 1948, and over the years was acquired by North Bristol NHS Trust.

It was sold at auction by Clevedon Salerooms, who waived their fee and commission as a donation to Southmead Hospital Charity.

Southmead Hospital are looking for volunteer pianists who would like to play the piano for half an hour slots. For more information contact Ruth Sidgwick on 0117 4143759.