Acquisition file

Correspondence between the National Gallery and Ayrton & Alderton Smith (solicitors) regarding Thomas Bruce Ismay's bequest of two pictures to the Gallery. One of the pictures is eventually established as not having been owned by Ismay, and so the only picture bequeathed will be the Gainsborough. Complications discussed regarding Ismay's wish that his picture should remain with his mother in her house until her death. An accepted bequest becomes the property of the National Gallery, which is unable to loan works to private individuals. This arrangement involving the picture remaining at Ismay's house is therefore deemed illegal. After debate it is decided that the problem can be solved if the bequest is not accepted until after the death of Ismay's mother, Mrs J.F. Ismay. letter from J.F. Ismay thanking the Gallery for this decision and offering to beqeauth a further picture after her death, this picture is eventually left to other parties in her will however. Correspondence between the National and Tate Galleries regarding the question of whether the Trustees of the Tate would like to accept the bequest, the Trustees do accept the bequest and the picture is eventually transported to the Tate after the death of J.F. Ismay in 1964.