Auction house Christie's is supporting a three-venue UK tour of a world-famous Rembrandt painting.

Rembrandt's Self Portrait at the Age of 63, a much-loved work from the National Gallery Collection, is on tour this month as the final painting in the three-year Masterpiece Tour.

The three UK host venues for 2016 are the Ulster Museum, Belfast, Abbot Hall, Kendal and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.

The Masterpiece Tour is part of the National Gallery’s commitment to promote the understanding, knowledge, and appreciation of Old Master paintings to as wide an audience as possible.

Christie’s has worked closely with museums and public art institutions throughout its history and continues to support initiatives which increase public access to works of art. Other major recent initiatives in the United Kingdom have included The Arts Council Collection Partnerships supported by Christie's, sponsorship of Houghton Revisited: Masterpieces from the Hermitage and ongoing work as national sponsor of The Public Catalogue Foundation.

Orlando Rock, UK Chairman, Christie's, commented: "We strongly believe in the role that art and collecting plays in the world today and in accessibility to art for everyone. We are delighted to have the privilege of supporting the National Gallery's Masterpiece Tour for the third year running.

"Christie's has long supported regional museums and it is rewarding to know we are enabling those outside London to view these national treasures and that the people of Belfast, Kendal and Bristol will enjoy seeing one of Rembrandt's last great works".