Art lovers are being asked to help raise more than £1 million to ensure that a 17th century masterpiece by painter Pieter Brueghel the Younger, that has hung in a West Yorkshire building for 200 years, stays on public view.

Supporters of the campaign have raised almost £1.4 million already but need to raise a total of £2.7 million by Christmas.

The appeal was launched in September by the Art Fund and the National Trust to save The Procession to Calvary which has hung on the walls of Nostell Priory, near Wakefield in West Yorkshire for more than 200 years.

The painting, which is owned by Lord St Oswald, has been put up for sale and it is feared it could be bought for a private collection.

The 1602 work shows Christ carrying the cross on the way to his crucifixion.

More than 10,000 people have already donated to the appeal but it has now been included in The Big Give Christmas Challenge which lasts until Friday and all donations given via The Big Give website will automatically be doubled.

Art Fund Director Stephen Deuchar said: "This remarkable painting has really captured the hearts of many of the UK public, helping us to come a long way in only two months. But we're just over half way with a significant sum still to raise – we urge as many as possible to double their donations through The Big Give and help us secure the painting for Nostell in time for Christmas."

www.thebiggive.org.uk/donate/nostell