Notes on the site and administration of the new National Gallery
[1853]
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Description
Subjects considered by Ford include: central versus suburban location, funding for acquisitions (£5,000 to £10,000 per annum), abolition of the system of unpaid trustees, appointment of a 'chief' on a salary of £1,000 to £1,500 per annum who should report yearly, status of the Director ('make it a place of honour'), catagories of acquisition ('artistical rather than archaeological', 'large rather than small', 'incunabula are no doubt deserving as historical'), appointment of a council of three (an artist, an amateur and a dealer) on £200 or £300 per annum to support the chief or chairman, and limitations on the power of the Secretary.
The notes are broadly consistent with Ford's oral testimony before the Select Committee, although his criticism of the Gallery's location - 'Except that it is central (a questionable advantage) the present very bad: one of the noisiest dirtiest most frequented spots of London: idlers are tempted in by open doors & a gratis show[;] it is the refuge & a rendez vous for soldiers and nursery maids' - is articulated less trenchantly in the printed transcript. Endorsed by William Mure 'R. Ford suggestions'.
Record type
Custodial history
Purchased (with NGA48/41-43) from John Wilson Manuscripts Ltd.
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