HC Deb 01 April 1879 vol 245 c132
MR. BLENNERHASSETT

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether the portrait of Andrea Spinola, Doge of Venice, painted by Vandyck, which occupied the place of honour at the recent Exhibition of Pictures by Old Masters at Burlington House, had been bequeathed to the National Gallery by the late Sir Joseph Hawley, and refused by the Director of that Institution; and, if refused, why?

MR. GERARD NOEL

Immediately I saw the Question of the hon. Member I communicated with the Director of the National Gallery. He informs me that the picture to which the hon. Member refers was not bequeathed to the National Gallery by Sir Joseph Hawley, and, therefore, it was not refused by the Director.