HC Deb 15 May 1865 vol 179 c301
MR CAVENDISH BENTINCK

said he wished to ask the First Commissioner of "Works, To state the circumstances under which the Cartoons of Raphael have been removed from Hampton Court to the Kensington Museum, and also who is to pay for the removal?

MR. COWPER

said, in reply, that the hon. Gentleman was doubtless well aware that Hampton Court Palace was ill adapted for the proper exhibition of these valuable works of art. That had been felt so much before that one hundred years ago the Cartoons were removed from Hampton Court, and placed at Buckingham Palace. Not being well placed there, they were removed to Windsor Castle, but George III. restored them to Hampton Court, where they had originally been placed by William III. Her Majesty had now been pleased to lend them for exhibition at South Kensington, where there was a fire proof room, and where they would be better seen than they ever had before. Her Majesty had not intimated her pleasure as to their ultimate and permanent destination. They had been safely conveyed without any damage being done to them. The cost of transport would be defrayed by the Science and Art Department, which would have the custody of them, and which had made such admirable arrangements for their being seen without risk or disadvantage.

MR. WALPOLE

said, these Cartoons, now that they were more visible than they had been hitherto, were shown to be very much damaged indeed, and he wanted to know whether any steps had been taken to ascertain the best means of preserving them from further deterioration?

MR. COWPER

said, that the Art Referee of the South Kensington Museum, Mr. It. Redgrave, who was also Superintendent of Pictures to Her Majesty, had examined very minutely into the present condition of these Cartoons, and he had called to his aid several other persons eminently qualified to judge of such matters among others the hon. Member for Southwark (Mr. Layard), and the right hon. Gentleman might be assured that they were in hands quite qualified to take any measures which might be necessary for their preservation.