TRIBUTE TO MR. COURTAULD
Ste,—The celebrated masterpieces of nineteenth-century French painting which Mr. Samuel Courtauld presented to the nation place one in his permanent debt as a member of the public and far more so as a painter ; but in thinking of him as a great public benefactor it is easy to overlook his less public generosity. Few collectors with sufficient Renoirs and Cezannes left over from gifts to the national collections—so to fill their private houses that a couple of Rouaults are left in the hall cupboard—are much inclined to possess the work of the young and promising. Mr. Courtauld was so inclined, and frequently purchased paintings from young living artists. Since to have a picture in the Courtauld collection might be compared to having one's sonata performed by Menuhin, the pride Mr. Courtauld thus engendered in many young artists should not go unrecorded. I should therefore be grateful if space permits me to pay this public tribute to him in the journal to which I had the honour to contribute regularly for two years.—I am, Sir, yours faithfully, 4, All Souls' Place, W. I.
MICHAEL AYRTON.
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