ROMANCE OF A PAINTING

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1383, 8 March 1912, Page 9

ROMANCE OF A PAINTING

HOW A MA STEK PIECE WAS PRESENTED TO THE NATION. How the National Gallery became posted of Terborch's masterpiece, "Ilia Congress of Minister," is described in a litter by Mr. M. 11. Spielmann in paying a tributo to the late Kir John Murray !>cott: "In 18G8, at the San Doiiato (or Denudoff) sale in Paris (he says) Sir "William Boxall, then Director of the National (.iallerv, attempted to obtain it for his institution, and was empowered to bid up to JCCOOO for it. But the Marquis ut Hertford—a difficult man to beat at a sale-secured it from all competition for xaono. . "Sir Eichard Wallace inherited it, and when he came to England at the time of the Communist troubles in 18/1 he brought the little picture with linn, as he could not bear to part from it. ami would carry it with him in his travellingbox. Arriving at- Dover, he put up at | the Lord Warden Hotel, and was ookmg thoughtfully at the picture, when ha turned to his secretary, then Mr. John Hurray Scott, and spiilrt' of where he should put it. and of what, later on, be should do with it. " *Whv not give it to the nation? asked Sir joint. Sir'Hichard Wallace was struck with the idea, and fell 111 with it, and immediately had a letter written to Sir William Boxall, asking him tu coiue to Hertford House the next tiny. The director came. and when he saw the picture lie had failed to acquire and heard it was to be a gift to tlio nation lie was so moved that he burst into tears."