A correspondence in the Times, started by Mr. Lionel Oust,
emphasises the inadequacy of the accommodation available for housing the art treasures of the nation. It appears that the Government intend to utilise the vacant space at the back of the Tate Gallery for building a new Stationary Office, but have not committed themselves to an irrevocable decision. Mr. Oust contends that the site should be saved for art, and makes the specific suggestion that it should be devoted to a Turner Gallery. Assuming, as there seems good ground that we may assume, that an equally suitable site for the Stationery Office could be procured for a moderate price elsewhere, a strong case can be made out for Mr. Cust's appeal. The Times, in an interesting article, lends support to his contention on general grounds, and makes the further suggestion that while the Millbank space should be reserved to the art of the immediate future, the Government should redeem the unfulfilled pledge of previous Administrations, and make over the ground still occupied by St. George's Barracks to the National and National Portrait Galleries. The need for new rooms, as the Times points out, is urgent, and the plans are already in existence. Meanwhile we must congratulate the Tate Gallery on their acquisition of two representative works of the late Charles Purse, including the splendid " Return from the Ride."
Previous page
