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The Imperial War Museum is backing a campaign to save an art masterpiece. The work is due to be destroyed in 12 days time. Hidden behind plaster of the wall of the entrance foyer to the old St Ambrose Barlow RC High, in Swinton , the mural is by Hungarian George Mayer-Marton. The mural is now scheduled to be destroyed on November 17 despite two heritage groups backing a campaign by the artist's great nephew for it to be preserved and diplomats from the Consulate General of Hungary requesting that an expert be given access to the site to determine if the mural can be salvaged. In addition a prestigious Austrian art gallery, a Europe-wide cultural organisation, and a Welsh art gallery have also given their backing to save it. Salford council is demolishing the school site so affordable housing can be constructed there. The mural from 1954, The Five Joyful Mysteries of the Virgin's Rosary, filled a whole wall in the foyer of the school before being covered with white paint in the 1990s and forgotten. The council's culture boss has insisted they are not "dismissing" the value and integrity of the work - but says the cost of saving it could be as much as £400,000. Both the Twentieth Century Society and SAVE Britain's Heritage have supported a listing bid to Historic England, the government’s adviser on heritage, to protect and celebrate the work. Two applications for it to be listed had been made by Mayer-Marton's great nephew, Nick Braithwaite and were considered by Historic England in June and October. The listing application was twice turned down. Historic England said in a statement last month that "because there is still uncertainty regarding the survival of George Mayer-Marton’s artwork, which has been covered since the 1990s, we did not take the application to list the school forward for a full assessment." But the Manchester Evening News understands a final decision will be made by Historic England this week after further representations. Meanwhile The Imperial War Museum has now given its support to save the work. It has written to Historic England's listing officer calling for it to be protected. In a letter, the Museum's Curator for Art, Claire Brenard, says: "I would like to add my voice to the campaign in support of the inclusion of The Five Joyful Mysteries of the Virgin’s Rosary mural (1954) by George Mayer-Marton on the National Heritage List for England. "I was delighted to hear about the existence of this extremely rare and beautifully tender religious fresco by Mayer-Marton – although simultaneously distressed to hear that it is under immediate threat. At IWM, we are extremely proud to have an example of Mayer-Marton’s work in the art collection: a rather poignant watercolour Women with Boulders, executed in 1945. "There is a connection between this much smaller work and the hugely impressive mural in the flowing construction of the composition, and the dominance of the veiled female figure; both too are profoundly spiritual works. "Having lent my voice to the successful campaign to save Mayer- Marton’s now Grade II listed Crucifixion mosaic in the Holy Rosary Church in Oldham , I am anxious to also support this cause, knowing that this kind of fresco – made in the traditional way with paint applied to the wet plaster – is relatively rare in England, let alone by this artist of which I understand it is the only known surviving example. "George Mayer- Marton was an émigré to England during the Second World War and made a significant contribution to this country’s artistic heritage, one that is due wider recognition.Therefore, I am backing the local campaign to protect the artwork with national recognition, and then to relocate it, allowing Salford City Council’s plans for housing on the former school site to be realised." Mr Braithwaite told the Manchester Evening News this week: "Following an exchange of correspondence it would appear Historic England will reach their final decision this week. I remain optimistic that Historic England will make the right decision. My great uncle meant a lot to me and I have spent my life trying to preserve his work." Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Equalities, Sports and Leisure at Salford City Council, said: "Discussions have been ongoing for some time on this subject and I want to make it clear, this is not about dismissing this piece of work or the accomplishments of George Mayer-Marton, we are not disputing his integrity as an artist. "The issues with this mural are around timing and finances and these issues now make it very difficult to save it. We know that whilst some minimal work has been undertaken, no one is able to say with 100% certainty that the whole of the mural is intact and in a good quality making it salvageable."
