THE Tate Gallery’s decision to purchase a major artwork from one of its own trustees followed a series of extraordinary e-mails from the artist’s agent in which she revealed he was getting married and could need the money, it was claimed last night.

Victoria Miro, agent to the Turner-prizewinning artist Chris Ofili, is alleged to have written a series of e-mails to Sir Nicholas Serota, the Tate’s director, pleading the case for the purchase of The Upper Room, a series of 13 paintings of rhesus macaque monkeys on elephant dung supports, at an initial asking price of £750,000.

The gallery eventually bought the work for £705,000 including Vat, £220,000 of which came from gallery funds and the rest from benefactors.

The e-mails, obtained by a Sunday newspaper, appear to reveal the lengths to which Miro went to convince Serota, who seemed doubtful, and secure the purchase.

In a message dated November 26 2002 Miro asked Serota to find donors quickly, adding: “There is also extra pressure as Chris is getting married next week and I suspect he may be less willing than previously to wait for an extended period in terms of finance.

“Evidently, especially as Chris is a trustee, this is a sensitive situation, but if you could give me some indication as to which way to proceed I will ensure that your decision is handled with discretion. Ideally I would still love the work to go to the Tate.”

On June 2 2003 Catherine Kinley, a former curator, told Serota: “Victoria rang me this morning . . . I indicated we are pretty broke and that the price would have to come down.”

Serota replied: “Of course the price will have to come down and I want Victoria to find half the funds.”

Two days later Miro wrote further: “My fear is that you might not be entirely committed to this potential acquisition and possibly feel coerced into needing to appear enthusiastic.”

In July 2003 another message from Serota notes: “I spoke to Victoria yesterday. She cannot discount the work further . . . Chris remains adamant that the work should be shown together.”

The confidential correspondence between the gallery and the agent was revealed to The Sunday Telegraph under the Freedom of Information Act.

The purchase has infuriated other artists as the Tate has appealed for donated artworks to boost its collection.

Charles Thomson, leader of the Stuckists group of artists, demanded the purchase price be refunded. “If Ofili is genuine about supporting the Tate he will admit a mistake and hand the money back,” he said. “He can’t ask artists to donate their work with one hand while the other is reaching out for the Tate’s money.”

Both Miro and Ofili were unavailable for comment last night.

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