FURNISS, 'THE PROPOSED NATIONAL GALLERY...', INK, 1890

229 by 178mm., pen and ink on board, signed, mounted, framed and glazed

Punch, 5 July 1890, page 3

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In this cartoon Furniss satirised the struggle that Henry Tate was having with bureaucracy in order to achieve his two goals: to present his collection of paintings to the Nation, and to establish a National Gallery of British Art to house it. The highly successful sugar merchant, Henry Tate, made his initial offer to donate his collection of paintings to the National Gallery in a letter dated 23 October 1889. He asked that the negotiations be kept secret for fear that the National Gallery’s board would try to select items and so open a critical discussion on the quality of the collection. However, by 8 March 1890, the offer had been leaked to the press. It was not until 1897 with the opening of the Tate Gallery on Millbank that schemes and negotiations were resolved.