HC Deb 08 June 1852 vol 122 cc242-3
MR. CHARTERIS

said, he begged to ask the right hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there was any truth in the report that a picture, said to be by Titian, which was recently purchased for the National Gallery at Marshal Soult's sale, for 2,400l, was last year in the possession of a London dealer, by whom it was shown to several of the trustees, who might then have purchased it for 1,200l.? He might say that he had learnt the above facts from the gentleman in whose possession the picture was last year.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Sir, there is no truth whatever in the report that a picture in the possession of a London dealer, said to be by Titian, was shown to the trustees of the National Gallery, and offered to them for 12,000l., the same having been subsequently purchased by the Trustees of the National Gallery for 2,400l. It is quite true that the picture, which I believe is undoubtedly by Titian, and which has recently been purchased by the trustees of the National Gallery, was in London about a year ago, because it was seen by friends of my own. I am not aware, from the information that has come to me, that that picture was ever offered for the sum of 1,200l.; but, in answering the question, I am prepared to remind the House, that nothing is more delusive than to form precipitate conclusions as to the value of works of Titian by the sum asked by private persons previously to a public sale. Now, in the case of that celebrated picture by Murillo, which has recently been sold for perhaps the largest amount that any picture has yet realised—a sum equal to nearly 24,000l.—that picture was offered to a distinguished individual, well known in this House, and once a Member, only a few years ago, for the sum of 8,000l. Now, with regard to the picture referred to by the hon. Gentleman, it is true that the trustees of the National Gallery have purchased it for 2,400l. It is a picture which has been in this metropolis recently—I may say certainly within the last twelve months. There are very few pictures of eminence first exhibited at Paris which do not form the experimental trip to London. It is probable that this picture may have been offered to some individual at a less sum than that for which the country has given for it. It is possible that it may have been offered for 1,200l.; but it was never offered for any such sum either to the Treasury or to the Trustees of the National Gallery. The country has given 2,400l. for it, and I believe that we have purchased a very valuable picture at a moderate price.