Acquisition file

Correspondence with Angus Bainbrigge, owner of the Velazquez,, concerning its loan to the National Gallery for a year from 1958. Correspondence with Bainbrigge discussing the potential sale of the work. Banbrigge is initially unwilling to sell the picture. The picture is then loaned to an exhibition in Stockholm, and it is agreed that the National Gallery will have the picture on loan for a further six months after this exhibition has finished. This loan is eventually extended for another two years. Correspondence between Hugh Scrutton, director of the Walker Art Gallery, and Martin Davies, discussing the potential loan of the picture to the Walker in 1963, following the completion of the two year loan to the National Gallery. The Walker Gallery ultimately turns down the loan however, so it remains at the National Gallery. Letter from Bainbrigge, dated 8 Jan 1965, enquiring as to whether the National Gallery would be interested in purchasing the picture. Correspondence and discussion of the potential sale, which Bainbrigge says will need to be completed within five years due to his own financial circumstances, either directly to the National Gallery or failing that on the open market. Letter from Bainbridge, dated 2 Aug 1966, suggests a price of £100,000 for the picture, with payments to be potentially spread over several years if necessary. The Trustees agree to this arrangement. Letter from the National Art Collections fund, dated 28 Dec 1966, confirming the fund's contribution of £5,000 towards the purchase price. Letter from Philip Hendy to Bainbrigge, enclosing a cheque for £100,000, dated 3 Apr 1967. Correspondence with Bainbrigge concerning his concern at the National Art Fund's publication of the purchase price for the picture.