MR. GOLDSMIDasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether it is correct that the Council of the Royal Academy have out of the interest of the funds bequeathed by the late Mr. Chantrey for that purpose, purchased a picture which is to be the property of the nation if suitable room is provided for it by the Government; and, if the statement is correct, to ask what course the First Commissioner proposes to follow?
§ MR. GERARD NOELSir, when I saw the Question of my hon. Friend on the Paper I communicated with the Council of the Academy, and I am informed that negotiations are in progress for the purchase of a picture with the interest of the funds bequeathed by the late Sir Francis Chantrey. According to the will, about £2,500 a-year may be devoted to the purchasing of sculpture and works of art, but the will states—
And it is my wish that the works of art purchased shall be collected for the purpose of forming and establishing a public national collection of British fine art in painting and sculpture, executed within the shores of Great Britain, in the confident expectation that whenever the collection shall become of sufficient importance the Government or the country will provide a suitable and proper building.Sir, at present there is ample room in the National Gallery for any pictures which may be purchased by the Trustees for the next few years. No doubt at some future time, when the collection increases, Her Majesty's Government must consider the propriety of providing a suitable home for the works of art acquired under the will of Sir Francis Chantrey, so that they may become the property of the nation.