Reference code
RAA/SEC/10/19/2
Title
W. Russell Flint, In train, to [W. R. M.] Lamb
Date
08 May 1945
Level
Item
Extent & medium
1 piece
Content Description
The letter is written in pencil on a copy of Report of the Committee on the Functions of National Gallery and Tate Gallery and, in respect of Paintings, of the Victoria and Albert Museum (HMSO, London, 1945). Flint writes: "This seems to be a cunning & plausible production which should be strongly countered, a job for lawyers rather than artists. Envy of the Academy's possession of the Charity Fund is plain. If the Tate got at it (though not entitled to it) its misuse would be most probable. Recent bad purchases by the Tate could be referred to." Flint adds his address until 30 May: Drummond Arms Hotel, St Fillans, Perthshire.
There are further pencil notes and annotations by Flint within the body of the report, especially pp. 12-14, the part containing a recommendation for the transfer of income derived from the Chantrey Bequest to the Trustees of the Tate, to which Flint refers in his letter to Lamb. They include the following: "So many inferior works are recommended by the laymen Tate representatives that a majority of professional artists is essential."