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Two allies from Europe have entered the fray to save a beautiful mural from being destroyed. Wrecking teams are due to demolish the only building still standing at a former school in Swinton . Hidden behind plaster of the wall of the entrance foyer to the old St Ambrose Barlow RC High is an art masterpiece 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. Salford council is demolishing the school site so affordable housing can be constructed there. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Now a prestigious art gallery in Austria and a Europe-wide cultural organisation have also given their backing to save it. 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. 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 Austrian Gallery which staged a retropsective of Mayer-Marton's work in 1986 has written a letter of support. Dr Alexander Klee, curator of 19th and 20th century art at Galerie Belvedere in Vienna, says: "The mural of the former St. Ambrose Barlow Secondary School in Swinton Lancashire represents an exemplary mural from the WWII and post-War period. As a mural painting in “true fresco”, it is not only a very rare painting using this technique, but it is one of the rare examples that are well preserved. "Because of its extraordinary technique, restoration is possible. It is an exemplar of British art and shows the influences of immigrants from continental Europe, leading to a post-vorticist way of seeing. This binary meaning and art historical background makes the mural an indispensable part of British identity and of Britain’s commitment to an open society. "For the benefit of future generations and their way of looking at history, the destruction of the mural should not be permitted, but preserved so as to widen their perspectives, and so as to demonstrate art’s potential to influence society as a vessel of cultural liberalism." Europa Nostra describes itself as "the European Voice of Civil Society committed to cultural heritage". Board member Graham Bell, of the Most Endangered Advisory Panel, says: "Europa Nostra is the leading citizens’ movement to protect and celebrate Europe’s cultural and natural heritage. We represent members and associates in 67 countries across Europe and beyond. For us, Mayer-Marton is a source of celebration as an historical artistic connection across Europe and of European cultural influences and expression. "It was worthy and appropriate in 2023 that Mayer-Marton’s distinctive fresco-mosaic in Oldham received the due recognition and protection it deserved, overcoming reservations about its artistic merits, its technical distinction and its capacity for restoration. We were pleased to contribute to that campaign. Its listing should have established Mayer-Marton’s credentials as an exceptional creator; this appeal now has those credentials of national and international significance. "We support and join the array of learned organisations which have rallied to this cause on this work’s own merits, as well as its contribution to the oeuvre. Listing introduces appropriate due diligence to enable the burden of proof and time for responsible consideration consistent with the European value of this ‘true fresco’ and European interest in its future." Mr Braithwaite told the Manchester Evening News today: "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." Last month Mr Braithwaite said: "In response to the initial listing refusal by Historic England, our campaign commissioned further uncovering tests carried out by an eminent expert conservator which confirm that the mural survives in 'recoverable condition across its full extent… beneath a reversible latex plaster layer'. 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."
