SIR FRANCIS GRANT ASKS FOR THE LOAN OF A TURNER PAINTING FOR THE "HONOUR OF ENGLAND" GRANT (Sir Francis, 1803-1878, Portrait Painter, President of Royal Academy)

Long Autograph Letter Signed to "Dear Ponder" telling him that "at a meeting of the Vienna Commission held at Marlborough House, it was agreed that British art would not be adequately represented unless ... our great landscape painter Turner was seen - although his death having occurred beyond 10 years - his works would be excluded. But Mr Cunliffe ... was authorised to lay the subject before the high authorities of Vienna to know if, in compliance with the wish of the Commissioners they would make an exception in his case. This was granted. The Committee ... find for the honour of England that after Her Majesty's Commissioners ... have obtained this sanction from Vienna to represent our greatest master. It would be unfortunate if we were unable to send two specimens of his powers ... The Committee therefore deputed me to write to ... the only two public spirited gentlemen whom they know to possess specimens of his works of the highest class, to know if for the honour of British art, you would submit to the inconvenience of lending your large Turner for the occasion. The picture, through the munificence of Sir R. Wallace will be insured against any possible risk ... at whatever value you place upon it & you may rely on every care being taken ... I cannot but feel that the selection of it will enhance the fame & value of the picture ...", 4 sides 8vo., 27 Sussex Place, Regent's Park, 19th February no year but probably remains of mounting on verso of blank leaf

Sir Richard WALLACE (1818-1890) was an English Art Collector who expanded his father's art collection. His widow donated the Wallace Collection to the nation in 1897.
The 1873 Vienna World's Fair was the large world exposition that was held in 1873 in the Austria-Hungarian capital Vienna. Its motto was "Culture and Education". It is likely that this letter refers to the British exhibit there.

Item Date:  1873

Stock No:  41027      £275

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