TRAVEL IS BAD FOR OLD MASTERS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Someone has been commenting on the fact that two masterpieces by Titian now in the National Gallery have not been lent to the Titian Exhibition which is being held in Venice until November. Aceording fo one writer the pictures are absent from the wonderful display in Venice owing to the rigidity of the rule not to permit loans of pictures from the National Gallery to foreign exhibitions," but I understand that more than a rule is involved. It is, as a matter of fact, illegal to lend such works. The law is designed to preserve the paintings in good condition, for travel is not good for old masters. It is, however, now legal, thanks to a new Act, to lend works by British artists to exhibitions abroad. Let us hope that for the benefit' of international art all the old Masters of the future will be British born. We shall then be able to lend their paintings to foreign towns which arrange
exhibitions !—Yours, &c., JOHN PEREGRINE.. 7 Morton Mews, Earl's Court.
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