Works of Art Committee

Transcription

1 WA/ nd Meeting Works of Art Committee Wednesday 21 October 2015 at 4.15pm, in Committee Room G Agenda Small sections of this paper have been redacted for reasons of commercial interests. 1. VOTE100 Presentation from Melanie Unwin and Mari Takayanagi 2. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING Minutes of meeting on 15 July PORTRAIT COMMISSIONS The Curator will speak to the paper WA/15-16/7 WA/15-16/8 4. POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS AND LOANS [Additional information restricted access] The Assistant Curator will speak to the paper WA/15-16/9 Magna Carta Barons Loan Oral update from the Curator 5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS For information: House of Lords Collection Fund financial statement October 2015 WA/15-16/10 Next meeting: 9 December at 4.15pm in Committee Room G Philippa Wilson Clerk of the Works of Art Committee wilsonpm@parliament.uk

2 WA/15-16/7 Session st Meeting WORKS OF ART COMMITTEE Wednesday 15 July 2015 Present: Lord Dear Lord Finkelstein Baroness Gale Earl of Glasgow Lord Inglewood Lord Luce Baroness Maddock (Chairman) Baroness Rawlings Lord Turnberg Apologies were received from Baroness Bakewell, Lord Magan of Castletown, Baroness Massey of Darwen (agenda item 1), Lord Vinson (agenda item 4), Liz Hallam Smith (Director of Information Services), Emily Green (Assistant Curator) and Andrea Tingey (Gift Shop Manager) (agenda item 5). Also present: David Beamish (Clerk of the Parliaments), Malcolm Hay (Curator of Works of Art), Emma Gormley (Deputy Curator) and Patrick Vollmer (Director of Library Services) attended on behalf of Liz Hallam Smith. The Chairman welcomed all, especially the new members, to the first meeting of the session. She thanked the Curator for the tour of the artwork in Millbank House immediately before the meeting. 1. PORTRAIT COMMISSION The Chairman informed the Committee that the informal sub-group, chaired by Baroness Massey of Darwen, met on 2 July. The sub-group discussed the importance of keeping the collection up to date and agreed that the Lord Speaker, Baroness D Souza, should be the subject of the next portrait. Baroness Massey of Darwen and the Chairman met the Lord Speaker who agreed to sit for the portrait and they discussed potential artists. It was agreed that the Curator s Office would provide a paper for the next meeting to update the Committee on progress and give background information on portraits commissioned for the Contemporary Collection in recent years. 2. POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS AND LOANS Lord Melbourne and Caroline Norton cartoon: Lord Baker of Dorking had offered to donate a cartoon of Lord Melbourne and Caroline Norton. The Committee agreed to accept the donation and to send a letter of thanks to Lord Baker. The cartoon would be framed and displayed in the House.

3 Magna Carta Barons: Temple Church had requested the loan of two Magna Carta Barons from the Chamber for their current exhibition, which examines their long-term work with lawyers of many jurisdictions in the promotion of the Charter s principles of the rule of law and constitutional restraints. The loan request was for one year, from September 2015 September The two statues were currently on loan to the British Library and the Tate, and due to be reinstalled in the Chamber in September. The Committee agreed to the loan in principle as long as stringent caveats in the loan agreement addressed all concerns, that all stakeholders agreed and that there was no financial implication for the House. It was agreed the Curator s Office would provide a paper at the next Committee meeting. 3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING Auction of a painting of The meeting of Wellington and Blucher attributed to Arthur Stocks: The Curator informed the Committee that the painting had sold for a hammer price of 54,000, far exceeding the 10,000-15,000 pre-sale estimate. Exhibition to mark the bicentenary of Waterloo: The Deputy Curator spoke to the paper (WA/15-16/2). The Committee accepted the offer from the Royal Academy to view their exhibition, ideally in the first two weeks in September when the House was sitting. It was agreed the Curator s Office would contact the Royal Academy to arrange. Watercolours of New Palace of Westminster and the old Exchequer Buildings: The vendor decided to withdraw the pieces following an independent valuation and confirmed if they decided to sell they would contact the Curator s Office. De Morgan collection: Potential replacements for the withdrawn vases will be reviewed in six months time when it becomes clear what pieces are available for loan. Works of Art in the Barry Room: Works by Linda Kitson, from Millbank House, have been hung. This temporary display should be replaced with modern art work which can be located there permanently. Any suggestions from the Committee would be welcome. Ethics of Dust proposal: Since the last Committee meeting, when in principle approval was granted, discussions had begun with stakeholders to determine how arrangements for the exhibition might be taken forward, including finding suitable dates which fit in with the other activities planned for Westminster Hall. The Minutes of the meeting of 18 March 2015 were agreed. 4. BISHOPS PRAYER PROPOSAL FROM LORD VINSON The Chairman spoke to the paper (WA/15-16/3). Lord Vinson proposed one of the Bishops Prayers be displayed in the House. The Committee supported this proposal and agreed that the Curator s Office would provide a more detailed proposal for the next Committee meeting. 5. CHRISTMAS CARDS The Chairman informed the Committee that the informal sub-group met on 22 June. The sub-group had created a shortlist of images for the Committee s consideration. The Committee submitted their voting forms to the Clerk. 2

4 The Chairman proposed the Committee review the process of selecting Christmas cards in the New Year and consider the use of a survey to inform the selection. The Committee agreed that the view of the Palace of Westminster should be available in two sizes, one smaller to meet requirements for sending overseas. POST MEETING NOTE The Committee endorsed the first choice selection for Christmas cards as put forward by the sub-group. The selection of Christmas cards for this year will be: A view of the Palace A Winter s Day, Westminster Religious The Virgin Adoring the Sleeping Christ Child Alternative Four Magna Cartas in Robing Room, MACLISE S WALLPAINTINGS IN THE ROYAL GALLERY The Curator spoke to the paper (WA/15-16/5). Research indicated that the proposed programme of cleaning and conservation of these paintings would improve their appearance considerably, and allow their presentation to be more in keeping with the original artistic intention of the 1860s. Work would commence in September 2016 during recess periods. The Committee discussed if this work would be of interest to Members and agreed that it could also be carried out during sitting periods, as long as it did not disturb the work of the House. The Curator pointed out that the remedial work proposed for Maclise s waterglass paintings would provide valuable technical information which could be used in the future when the conservation of Herbert s waterglass painting in the Moses Room was being considered. The Curator suggested that there would be opportunities for the Committee to host lectures on this conservation project so as to spread the knowledge gained from the research, as well as keeping Members informed of progress. The cost of this work would be dependent on the initial outcomes of the cleaning and conservation, but would be met by the conservation budget. The Committee agreed in principle with the conservation programme. 7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Meeting papers: The Chairman requested all Committee Members inform the Clerk of their correct contact details if they were not receiving papers during sitting or recess periods. Future meeting dates: 21 October at 4.15pm in Committee Room G 9 December at 4.15pm in Committee Room G The Committee adjourned. July 2015 Philippa Wilson tel: wilsonpm@parliament.uk 3

5 WA/15-16/8 2 nd Meeting Works of Art Committee Portrait Commissions Paper by the Assistant Curator Purpose 1. To provide background information on portraits commissioned for the Contemporary Collection in the House of Lords. 2. To give an update on the portrait commission of the Lord Speaker. Background 3. Over the past 15 years the Committee has placed considerable emphasis on commissioning contemporary portraiture and has followed an active commissioning programme. The portraits are illustrated below. 4. This has formed an important part of the acquisition policy for the Parliamentary Art Collection. 5. It enables the House to represent notable contemporary parliamentarians in the Collection and ensure that the Collection records those whose contribution to the life and work of the House has been and is of particular note. 6. In 2010 the Committee agreed that due to the difficult financial position there would be no further portrait commissions for the time being. The Committee acknowledged that the temporary suspension of the contemporary portrait programme meant that a backlog of sitters would build up and that there was a risk of losing the opportunity to secure portraits of key parliamentarians for the Collection. 7. In March 2012 the Committee agreed to proceed with a formal commissioning strategy intended to provide a structure which would allow a modest and affordable programme to be undertaken. 8. Lord Carrington was the first sitter chosen by the Committee after His portrait was completed in Examples of commissioned portraits 9. The following contemporary portraits have been commissioned by the House of Lord Works of Art Committee since 2003: Page 1 of 6

6 Lord Irvine of Lairg - oil on canvas by James Lloyd, 2003/4 Lord Mackay of Clashfern oil on canvas by Norman Edgar, 2004 Baroness Amos - oil on canvas by Paul Benney, 2004 Page 2 of 6

7 Lord Falconer of Thoroton - oil on canvas by Michael Taylor, 2006/7 Baroness Hayman oil on canvas by Sergei Pavlenko, 2007/8 Page 3 of 6

8 50 th Anniversary of Life Peers entering the House series of 20 photographs by Desiree Pfeiffer, 2008 Page 4 of 6

9 Group portrait of the Final Meeting of the Law Lords oil on canvas by Sergei Pavlenko, 2009/10 Lord Carrington - oil on canvas by Andrew Tift, 2013/14 Page 5 of 6

10 Acquisition policy 10. The House of Lords Works of Art Collection is one of the primary sources of images of British parliamentary and political history. The Victorian decorative schemes of wallpaintings and sculpture within the building represent an important period of state patronage of the arts during the mid-19 th Century. The collection includes important parliamentary portraits, views and other images relating to the history of the House of Lords. Portraits of monarchs, notable statesmen, parliamentarians, officials and reformers, whose work relates to the history of Parliament and the House of Lords. The Committee will follow an active policy of commissioning portraits and portrait busts of important figures within the contemporary House of Lords. Portraits of men and women whose wider contribution to politics and government ensures them a place in the nation s history. Update of the Portrait Commission of the Lord Speaker 11. The Lord Speaker has selected two artists from the shortlist proposed by the informal Portrait Commission sub-group. 12. An update will be given to the Committee at the meeting. Action 13. The Committee is invited to take note of the background information about contemporary portraits commissioned for the Parliamentary Art Collection at the House of Lords. 14. The Committee is invited to endorse the choice of artist proposed by the informal Portrait Commission sub-group for the commissioned portrait of the Lord Speaker. Emily Green October 2015 Page 6 of 6

11 WA/15-16/9 2 nd Meeting Works of Art Committee Possible Acquisition - [additional information restricted access] Paper by the Assistant Curator Small sections of this paper have been redacted for reasons of commercial interests. Purpose 1. The Committee is asked to consider acquiring a portrait of [additional information restricted access] which has come onto the art market and is offered for sale to the House of Lords. Background 2. [Additional information restricted access] 3. [Additional information restricted access] 4. [Additional information restricted access] 5. [Additional information restricted access] 6. This painting is on offer from an art dealer. The asking price will be discussed during the committee meeting. Benefit to the Parliamentary Art Collection 7. [Additional information restricted access] 8. [Additional information restricted access] 9. [Additional information restricted access] 10. [Additional information restricted access] 11. If the portrait is acquired, there would need to be consideration as to where this painting should be displayed in the House of Lords. [Additional information restricted access] [Additional information restricted access] 12. [Additional information restricted access] 13. [Additional information restricted access] 14. [Additional information restricted access] Page 1 of 2

12 15. [Additional information restricted access] 16. [Additional information restricted access] 17. [Additional information restricted access] [Additional information restricted access] 18. [Additional information restricted access] 19. [Additional information restricted access] 20. [Additional information restricted access] 21. [Additional information restricted access] Acquisition policy 22. The House of Lords Works of Art Collection is one of the primary sources of images of British parliamentary and political history. The Victorian decorative schemes of wallpaintings and sculpture within the building represent an important period of state patronage of the arts during the mid-19th Century. The collection includes important parliamentary portraits, views and other images relating to the history of the House of Lords. Portraits of monarchs, notable statesmen, parliamentarians, officials and reformers, whose work relates to the history of Parliament and the House of Lords. Within this category, the Committee will chiefly seek to acquire portraits of individuals who are not already represented within the Collection, and will review from time to time the list of names given in the Appendix to the 1956 Hinchingbrooke Report. The Committee will follow an active policy of commissioning portraits and portrait busts of important figures within the contemporary House of Lords. Portraits of men and women whose wider contribution to politics and government ensures them a place in the nation s history. Action 23. The Committee is invited to consider acquiring the portrait of [additional information restricted access] for the Parliamentary Art Collection. Emily Green October 2015 Page 2 of 2

13 WA/15-16/10 2 nd Meeting HOUSE OF LORDS COLLECTION FUND Financial Statement, October 2015 Note: credits are in normal type; debits are in italic Funds carried over from financial year 25, Vote for , Acquisitions Nil Commissions Nil Total income 35, Total expenditure Total committed expenditure Nil Nil Balance 35, Balance (including committed expenditure) 35,761.33