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Records of the White House Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (Reagan Administration)
Michael Deaver's Subject Files
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual
collections.
Collection: Deaver, Michael
Folder Title: Hold (2)
Box: 43
To see more digitized collections
visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories
visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives
Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
11
it
we
WASHINGION
October 19, 1984
alle
the
Dear Mr. Brown:
I am writing in reference to your letter
of October 12, 1984 to Mike Deaver in-
77 n
hand-
viting the Prince and Princess of Wales
ith
to attend the "The Treasure Houses of
cess
Britain" exhibit.
ion,
Patronage
It is felt that until a firm acceptance
of Thurs-
has been received the White House would
llery, but
rather not send a letter to their Royal
Highnesses
Highnesses.
Be assured that should an acceptance be
time,
received we would be happy to comply with
ms that
your request of a note from the President.
dly letter
berty of
Sincerely
Willitt
been in
eane,
S. R.
avolving
William F. Sittmann
Special Assistant to
the President
out to
rd's desk.
rtaken,
culture
t insurance
in value,
idea of
Mr. J. Carter Brown
British
Director
se a
National Gallery of Art
N if
Washington, D.C. 20565
The Honorable Michael K. Deaver
Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Enclosures
National Gallery of Art
pul see
the
Washington, D.C. 20565
October
Office of the Director
Dear Mike:
It not
As I wrote Nancy this summer in answer to her very kind hand-
plado.
written note to me after my accident, we have been in touch with
Buckingham Palace about the possibility of the Prince and Princess
of Wales coming here at the time of the opening of our exhibition,
"The Treasure Houses of Britain: Five Hundred Years of Art Patronage
and Collecting" next autumn. We have pencilled in a date of Thurs-
day, October 31, 1985 for a gala dinner at the National Gallery, but
are prepared to adjust that date a bit to suit Their Royal Highnesses'
schedule.
Their itinerary does not become firm until nearer the time,
but, in consultation with Lucky Roosevelt at State, it seems that
soon after the election might be a good moment for a friendly letter
to come to them from the White House. I have taken the liberty of
suggesting a possible draft, as a place to start. I have been in
close touch with the Prince's private secretary, Edward Adeane,
and he understands that a letter from the President and Mrs. R.
would not constitute an invitation for an official visit involving
U.S. Government underwriting.
Walter and Lee Annenberg are very eager to have them out to
Sunnylands, and there are many pending invitations on Edward's desk.
But since this is the largest exhibition we have ever undertaken,
and presumably the most splendid representation of British culture
that will have ever been seen on these shores, with current insurance
estimates between a quarter- and a half-a-billion dollars in value,
it would seem a highly opportune moment. I also like the idea of
having some of the lenders, representing the more than 200 British
country houses involved, being here at that time. I enclose a
packet with some information about the show. Do let me know if
there is any way in which I can be of help.
With all best,
As ever,
Cater
J. Carter Brown
Director
The Honorable Michael K. Deaver
Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Enclosures
DRAFT
Your Royal Highnesses,
Nancy and I are delighted to know that you have agreed to be
the Patrons of the exhibition of treasures from Great Britain
that will open here in Washington at our National Gallery in the
fall of 1985. I understand from the Gallery that there is a
possibility that you might be able to come to the United States
around the time of the opening. Nothing would give your friends
and admirers in the United States more pleasure.
If you decide to come, Nancy and I look forward to the
opportunity of welcoming you to Washington in some suitable way.
I understand that the Princess of Wales has not yet visited
the United States, and I very much hope that on this occasion you
will take the opportunity to see something of this country.
We would like to do whatever we can to help make your trip a
pleasant and memorable one.
I know your visit would be extremely popular, and Nancy and
I greatly look forward to welcoming you here.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
Their Royal Highnesses
The Prince and Princess of Wales
Buckingham Palace
London, S.W.1.
England
JCB:hg
ТПО
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Treasure Houses of Britain: Five Hundred Years of Private Patronage
and Art Collecting goes on view in the National Gallery's East Building
from November 1985 through March 1986. The exhibition is made possible
by a generous contribution from the Ford Motor Company.
Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, Patrons of the
exhibition.
Photograph: Lord Snowden
the
7981
MA
***
NA' IONAL GALLERY OF ART
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Treasure Houses of Britain: Five Hundred Years of Private Patronage
and Art Collecting goes on view in the National Gallery's East Building
from November 1985 through March 1986. The exhibition is made possible
by a generous contribution from the Ford Motor Company. Patrons of the
exhibition are Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales.
Pair of firedogs bearing the arms of Henry VIII and the badge of Ann
Boleyn, C. 1533-36 (detail). .
Steel and cast iron
48 in. (height)
Knole, Kent, National Trust, Sackeville Collection
SNAX HONI STATE SOLTON
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Treasure Houses of Britain: Five Hundred Years of Private Patronage
and Art Collecting goes on view in the National Gallery's East Building
from November 1985 through March 1986. The exhibition is made possible
by a generous contribution from the Ford Motor Company. Patrons of the
exhibition are Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales.
Adriansz Cocks
Vase painted with the arms of William and Mary
Delft, late 17th century
Erddig Park, Clwydd, North Wales, National Trust
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Treasure Houses of Britain: Five Hundred Years of Private Patronage
and Art Collecting goes on view in the National Gallery's East Building
from November 1985 through March 1986. The exhibition is made possible
by a generous contribution from the Ford Motor Company. Patrons of the
exhibition are Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales.
Claude Lorrain
The Landing of Aeneas, 1675
Oil on canvas, 70" X 891/2"
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire, National Trust, Fairhaven Collection
THE
TREASURE HOUSES of BRITAIN
Five Hundred Years of Private Patronage and Art Collecting
An exhibition to be held from November 1985-March 1986
at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.,
under the auspices of The British Council
and with the support of the Ford Motor Company.
PATRONS
Their Royal Highnesses
The Prince and Princess of Wales
COMMITTEE OF HONOUR
The Lord Howard of Henderskelfe,
Chairman
The American Ambassador
to the Court of Saint James's
Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador
to the United States of America
The Hon. Walter Annenberg KBE
Mrs. David K. E. Bruce
The Duke of Buccleuch and
Queensberry KT
Sir John Burgh KCMG CB
The Marquess of Bute
Sir Hugh Casson PRA KCVO
Sir Robert Cooke
The Duke of Devonshire
The Lord Gibson
The Duke of Grafton KG
The Earl of March and Kinrara
Paul Mellon KBE
The Lord Montagu of Beaulieu
The Duke of Norfolk KG CB MC
The Duke of Northumberland
KG GCVO
Commander Michael
Saunders-Watson
Sir Roy Strong
The Marquess of Tavistock
Mrs. John Hay Whitney
STEERING COMMITTEE
J. Carter Brown,
Chairman
The Lord Howard of Henderskelfe,
Deputy Chairman
Julian Andrews
David Fuller
Gervase Jackson-Stops
Gaillard Ravenel
D. Dodge Thompson
CONSERVATION PANEL
Norman Brommelle,
Chairman
Herbert Lank
David Winfield
NATIONAL
GALLERY OF ART
NEWS RELEASE
FOURTH STREET AT CONSTITUTION AVENUE NW WASHINGTON DC 20565 737-4215/842-6353
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE TREASURE HOUSES OF BRITAIN
FIVE HUNDRED YEARS OF TRADITION
COMING TO NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
WASHINGTON, D. C. June 21, 1984. A joint announcement was made today in
Washington and London of a major exhibition, The Treasure Houses of Britain:
Five Hundred Years of Private Patronage and Art Collecting, which goes on view at
the National Gallery of Art from November 1985 through March 1986. Their Royal
Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales are the Patrons of this exhibition.
Speaking in Washington were Paul Mellon, Chairman of the Board of the
National Gallery, His Excellency Sir Oliver Wright, Ambassador of the United
Kingdom, Philip Caldwell, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the Ford Motor Company, and J. Carter Brown, Director of the National Gallery of
Art.
In London, the announcement was made by Lord Howard of Henderskelfe,
Chairman of the exhibition's Committee of Honour, Lord Gibson, Chairman of the
National Trust, and Commander Michael Saunders-Watson, President of the Historic
Houses Association, and Sam Toy, Chairman of Ford Motor Company of Britain.
Among those also present were Gervase Jackson-Stops, Architectural Advisor to the
National Trust and curator of the exhibition, and Julian Andrews, Director, Fine
Arts Department, British Council.
The exhibition will be made possible by a generous grant from the Ford Motor
Company. Mr. Caldwell announced the sponsorship and issued the following
statement: "The Treasure Houses of Britain brings a new dimension to the scope
and magnitude of our participation in a major cultural event and to the whole
(more)
2
concept of exhibitions. Encouragement and support of the arts should not depend
primarily on either the patronage of a few modern Medicis or government grants.
Instead, business enterprises and individuals at every level should, within their
capabilities, assist with the funding, facilities, personnel and active support
for the arts, not only in their own self-interest but also for the support of the
larger human community to which we all belong."
The concept of the exhibition originated with the National Gallery of Art
and the British Council with the support of the National Trust for Places of
Historic Interest or Natural Beauty (UK), the Historic Houses Association (UK)
and the National Trust for Scotland. Gervase Jackson-Stops of the National Trust
is the exhibition curator and editor of the fully-illustrated catalogue.
The Committee of Honour chaired by Lord Howard includes: The American
Ambassador to Great Britain, The British Ambassador to the United States, The
Honorable Walter Annenberg KBE, Mrs. David K.E. Bruce, The Duke of Buccleuch and
Queensberry KT, Sir John Burgh KCMG CB, The Marquess of Bute, Sir Hugh Casson PRA
KCVO, Sir Robert Cooke, The Duke of Devonshire, Lord Gibson, The Duke of Grafton
KG, The Earl of March and Kinrara, Paul Mellon KBE, The Lord Montagu of Beaulieu,
The Duke of Norfolk KG CB MC, The Duke of Northumberland KG GCVO, Commander
Saunders-Watson, Sir Roy Strong, The Marquess of Tavistock, and Mrs. John Hay
Whitney.
The Steering Committee is chaired by Mr. Brown, and includes Lord Howard as
Deputy Chairman; Mr. Andrews; David Fuller, exhibition office, Fine Arts
Department, The British Council; Mr. Jackson-Stops; Gaillard Ravenel, Chief of
Design, and D. Dodge Thompson, Chief of Exhibition Programs, of the National
Gallery of Art.
The Conservation Panel is made up of Norman Brommelle, Chairman, Herbert
Lank, and David Winfield.
(more)
3
The exhibition's objective is to present the great riches of British
collections and to show how they have been formed from the beginning of the Tudor
dynasty to the present day. The largest and most ambitious exhibition ever
undertaken by the National Gallery, the installation will fill the top two levels
of the East Building and will be mounted chronologically according to the
development of the houses. The installation will feature a Jacobean "long
gallery" with full-length portraits of the early seventeenth century, a Palladian
"state room", a sculpture rotunda, and a magnificent top-lit gallery of the
Waterloo period.
Approximately 650 works of art selected from some 130 British country houses
will be on view including paintings by such masters as Holbein, van Dyck,
Poussin, Claude, Titian, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Constable, El Greco, Velazquez,
Murillo, Hogarth, Turner and Rembrandt. In addition, there will be furniture;
tapestries and other textiles; arms and armor; jewelry and metalwork, with an
important representation of English silver; Oriental and domestic porcelain;
antique and baroque sculpture by such artists as Praxiteles, Bernini, Canova; and
other paintings including landscapes, Georgian portraits, Dutch cabinet
paintings, animal and sporting pictures, Victorian painting, and the
pre-Raphaelites. While many of the masterpieces will be relatively familiar,
some will be on view publicly for the first time.
Among the houses expected to be represented will be Alnwick Castle,
Attingham Park, Blenheim Palace, Boughton House, Burleigh, Castle Howard,
Chatsworth, Drumlanrig Castle, Fyvie Castle, Goodwood, Hardwick Hall, Harewood
House, Holkham Hall, Houghton Hall, Knole, Longleat, Penshurst, Petworth House,
Powis Castle, Sledmere, Syon Park, Uppark and Woburn Abbey. Provisions are being
made to insure the works of art with a British and United States indemnity.
(more)
4
The country house as a collective work of art will be shown in the
exhibition catalogue to be one of Britain's most important contributions to world
civilization. This fully-illustrated catalogue will contain an introduction by
Mr. Brown ("The Country House as a Work of Art") and essays by Mr. Jackson-Stops
("Patrons and Practitioners", reflecting the personalities behind the country
house, the relationships between the builder, his architect and craftsmen and
connoisseurship and collecting); Mark Girouard ("The Power House", describing the
economic background of the country house, its political importance and the
machinery that supported it "Behind the green baize door"); John Cornforth ("The
Backward Look", heritage and tradition as continuing themes in the country
house); Sir Oliver Millar ("Portraiture in the Country House"); Brinsley Ford
("The Country House and the Grand Tour"); and Professor Frances Haskell ("The
British as Collectors").
END
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION or photographs contact Katherine Warwick, Assistant to
the Director (Information Officer), Carolyn Amiot or Marla Price, Information
Office, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. 20565 (202) 842-6353.
NATIONAL
GALLERY OF ART
NEWS RELEASE
FOURTH STREET AT CONSTITUTION AVENUE NW WASHINGTON DC 20565 737-4215/842-6353
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAJOR PUBLICATION TO ACCOMPANY
TREASURE HOUSES OF BRITAIN EXHIBITION
WASHINGTON, D.C. June 21, 1984. The Treasure Houses of Britain: Five
Hundred Years of Private Patronage and Art Collecting, opening in the
National Gallery of Art's East Building in November of 1985, will be the
largest and most ambitious exhibition ever undertaken by the National
Gallery. The catalogue accompanying the exhibition will be a major
publication with essays by leading experts on different aspects of life
and possessions in the British country house.
The catalogue will illuminate the historical importance, evolution,
and role of country houses in Britain and provide, as well, a complete
overview of British art collecting.
Edited by Gervase Jackson-Stops, curator of the exhibition, the
catalogue will contain an introductory essay entitled "The Country House
as a Work of Art" by J. Carter Brown, Director of the National Gallery.
Mr. Jackson-Stops in his essay "Temples of the Arts" will explore the
personalities behind the country houses, in particular the relationships
between owners, architects, and craftsmen.
Mark Girouard, author of Life in the British Country House, will
describe the economic background of the country house, its political
importance and the machinery that supported it "Behind the green baize
door."
(more)
2
Other contributors will include John Cornforth ("The Backward
Look," heritage and tradition as continuing themes in the country
house); Sir Oliver Millar ("Portraiture in the Country House") ; Sir
Brinsley Ford ("The Country House and the Grand Tour") ; and Professor
Francis Haskell ("The British as Collectors").
Individual entries on objects in the exhibition will be prepared in
consultation with members of the Advisory Committee, composed of leading
scholars in the various fields represented. They include:
Sir Geoffrey Agnew
Paintings
Michael Archer
Delft and other ceramics
Dr. Charles Avery
Sculpture
Nicholas Barker
Books and documents
Anna Somers Cocks
Metalwork
John Cornforth
Interior decoration/textiles
Geoffrey de Bellaigue
Sevres and Meissen, French
furniture
Sir Brinsley Ford
Grand Tour
Mark Girouard
Architecture/social history
Sir Nicholas Goodison
Ormulu
John Hardy
English furniture and clocks
St. John Gore
National Trust pictures
Donald King
Tapestries
David Learmont
National Trust for Scotland
John Mallet
English and other ceramics
Sir Oliver Millar
17th century portraits
John Nevinson
16th century textiles
A.V.B. Norman
Armor
Nicholas Penny
Sculpture
Anthony Radcliffe
Sculpture
Graham Reynolds
Miniatures
Francis Russell
Other paintings
John Walker
Paintings
Sir Ellis Waterhouse
18th century portraits
Sir Francis Watson
French furniture
END
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION or photographs contact Katherine Warwick,
Assistant to the Director (Information Officer), Carolyn Amiot or Marla
Price, Information Office, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
20565 (202) 842-6353.
TUDOR/ELIZABETHAN
CHARLES,I/BAROQUE
up
JACOBEAN
ANGLO DUTCH
AV
Start
TREASURE HOUSES OF BRITAIN
MEZZANINE LEVEL. EAST BUILDING
NATIONAL GALLERY OF Art. WASHINGTON DC
PRINT
CHINESE
ROOM
PORCELAIN
PORTRAITS
NEO-CLASSICAL
PALLADIAN
SPORTING/
WATERLOO
DINING
GALLERY
GRAND TOUR
SCULF TURE
GOTHICK
DUTCH CABINET
BOOKS
LANDSCAPE
19m AND 20th
CENTURY
TREASURE HOUSES OF BRITAIN
UPPER LEVEL, EAST BUILDING
LIFE IN THE
COUNTRYHOUSE
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, WASHINGTON, D.C.
SCALE: 1/16 " i'-0"
18 MAR 1984
End
*
NEW YORK TIMES
New York, NY
June 22, 1984
Art of British Homes to Be Exhibited
years ago, it will not open to the pub-
By R. APPLE Jr.
lic until next year after extensive res-
toration.
Special to The New York Times
A Sebastiano del Piombo from
LONDON, June 21 - More than 800
Kingston Lacy - like the other pic-
objects of art from at least 120 British
tures there, unknown outside a small
stately homes will be sente to the
group of experts - was one of the sur-
United States next year for an exhibi-
prises of a "Genius of Venice" show
tion at the National Gallery of Art in
in London this year.
Washington.
Already promised are Sargent's
Plans for the show were announced
huge portrait of the ninth Duke of
at simultaneous press conferences
Marlborough and his family (includ-
today in London and Washington. The
ing the Duke's wife,. the American
show, "The Treasure Houses of Brit-
heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt) from
ain," will open in November 1985,
Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire;
under the patronage of the Prince and
Canaletto's "View of the Thames"
Princess of Wales. who may attend
from Richmond House, which has
the inaugural ceremonies, and will
never left Goodwood House in Sussex,
run until March 1986.
to be lent by the Earl of March; a
The Ford Motor Company is under-
Velázquez to be lent by the Duke of
writing the costs with what it calls "a
Westminster, and a Poussin from the
very substantial grant." Sources in
world-famous collections at Chats-
the London art world predicted that
worth House, Derbyshire, by the
the British and American Govern-
Duke of Devonshire. It is probable
ments would have to indemnify the
that Turner's "Egremont Sea View"
art works against loss for some $250
from Petworth House in Sussex, one
million.
of the greatest of the artist's can-
vases, will be included.
Planning Began Two Years Ago
Lord Howard is making available
Lord Howard of Henderskelfe, for-
Bernini's bust of Cardinal dal: Pozzo,
mer chairman of the BBC, who lives
and it is hoped that one of three or
at Castle Howard, Sir John Van-
four pieces attributed to Praxiteles,
brugh's immense Yorkshire pile,
perhaps the greatest sculptor of an-
which was featured in the television
tiquity, will be judged sound enough
production of "Brideshead Revisit-
to travel. There will also be many
ed," said that he began discussing the
decorative items, including arms and
exhibition with J. Carter Brown, the
armor, furniture, tapestries and
National Gallery's director, more
other textiles, domestic and Oriental
than two years ago. But the planning
porcelains and jewelry. A star item is
is still not complete. Although offi-
sure to be a huge Delft vase designed
cials provided a long list of artists
to hold an orange tree and embla-
who would be represented, they ac-
zoned with the monogram of William
knowledged that they had not yet ob-
III, which comes from Erdigg-in-
tained permission to borrow many of
Wales.
the objects.
Mr. Brown said in a telephone
Among the items the British hope to
terview that his favorite object
send are paintings from Kingston
among those already pledged is the
Lacy, the seat of the Bankes family in
Rainbow Portrait of Queen Elizabeth
Dorset, which houses one of the great
I from Hatfield House, the great,
private collections in England. Taken
Jacobean seat of the Cecil family in
over by the National Trust several
Hertfordshire north of London. It, is
thought to have been painted about
1600 by Isaac Oliver.
For the British, the goal of the
logistical effort involved in mounting
the exhibition is to lure more Ameri-
cans to the houses themselves, which
will be shown in an audio-visual dis-
play in Washington. Too many visi-
tors from the United States, Lord
Howard remarked, "go to London
and to Stratford and then go back
home.'
THE TIMES
London, England
June 22, 1984
Treasure trove: Artistic riches from
Prince and Princess of Wales as its
fielding as it were, an all-star team to
130 of Britain's great country houses
patrons and the Ford Motor Company
represent it here," he said, with
are to go- on show next year in
as sponsors will be the most ambitious
treasures to be seen together under one
Washington our Arts Correspondent,
ever staged at the city's National
roof for perhaps only this one time in
David Hewson writes.
Gallery of Art.
history."
Many of the items selected by the
The exhibits will include (from left)
National Trust and the Historic
Mr J Carter Brown. the gallery's
Antonia Canava's "The Three
Houses Association have never been
director. said yesterday he expected
Graces", Batoni's "Colonel William
publicly displayed in this country. The
the exhibition to be a revelation to the
Gordan" and Sargent's "The Family
Washington exhibition, which has the
American public. "Britain will be
of the 9th Duke of Marlborough."
THE NEW YORK TIMES
New York, NY
July 8, 1984
300 Years
Of Treasures
At Chatsworth
Layers of history come to life
its western front on a balustraded bridge.
side east of the house, which was designed by
By PAULA DEITZ
The classical house beyond is of the local
Grillet, a pupil of Le Nôtre. The little temple
millstone grit, a fine grade of yellowish sand-
at the head of the steps is fitted out with pipes
riving east from Manchester to
stone. Also, looking back at the hill just de-
and spouts and becomes itself a fountain with
Chatsworth, the ancestral home in
scended, one sees, as Elizabeth Bennet did,
water cascading down its dome.
D
Derbyshire of the Dukes of Devon-
that it is "crowned with wood
a beautiful
The great parterres of this period were
shire, one travels along narrow
object."
swept away by the vogue for the romantic or
hilly roads through green COW pas-
This prospect from the house and from the
natural landscape as created by Lancelot
tures.criss-crossed with the dry-stone walls
windows inside is part of what makes the
(Capability) Brown for the fourth Duke. By
that serve the purpose of dividing the fields,
grounds at Chatsworth of equal interest his-
the 1760's, the gardens became lawns (Chats-
as do hedgerows in other parts of England.
torically to the sumptuous interiors, for the
worth boasts the oldest lawn in Britain under
Clumps of cowslip, those rare fragrant yel-
landscaping encompasses its own layers
continuous care) and the hills were crested
low flowers, indicate the chalky soil below.
through four major periods of design. Little
with oaks and elms seen today in their ma-
After Baslow, the scenery becomes familiar
is left from Elizabethan times, when Eliza-
turity. An unspoiled Capability Brown park is
to anyone who has read Jane Austen's "Pride
beth of Hardwick, a great landowner in Der-
what Jane Austen was describing.
and Prejudice" and remembers Elizabeth
byshire, married Sir William Cavendish, who
All of this is but prelude to the great land-
Bennet's first impression of Pemberly, Fitz-
in 1549 purchased the properties where
Chatsworth now stands. It is, however, a dif-
scape period of Chatsworth, which made it
william Darcy's country house in Derby-
perhaps the most famous garden in all of Eu-
shire:
ferent house from the tall turreted and
"They gradually ascended for half a mile,
crenellated affair built around a courtyard
rope in the 19th century, when Joseph Paxton
by "Bess of Hardwick" (and in which Mary
was head gardener to the sixth Duke, a de-
and then found themselves at the top of a con-
siderable eminence, where the woods ceased,
Queen of Scots was once held a prisoner of
voted innovator throughout the house and
Bess's fourth husband, Lord Shrewsbury, on
grounds. The Bachelor Duke, as he was
and the eye was instantly caught by Pem-
berly House, situated on the opposite side of a
order of Queen Elizabeth I).
called, met Paxton when the latter was gar-
valley into which the road with some abrupt-
The first Duke, who received his title for
dener at the Horticultural Society's garden at
ness wound. It was a large, handsome, stone
his part in bringing William of Orange to the
Chiswick, and invited him to be head gar-
throne, replaced this building wing by wing
dener at Chatsworth. He arrived at age 23, at
building, standing well on rising ground, and
from 1686 to 1707 with four three-story classi-
4:30 A.M. on May 9, 1826. After exploring the
backed by a ridge of high woody hills; and in
front, a stream of some natural importance
cal structures around a courtyard that meet
garden, he put the men to work at 6 A.M. and
was swelled into greater, but without any ar-
on the north side in a bow front that camou-
went to have breakfast with the housekeeper
tificial appearance."
flages a discrepancy in the planes on either
and her niece, whom he eventually married.
This is very like the drive into Chatsworth,
side. Some of the Elizabethan walls are
"The latter fell in love with me and I with
which crosses the narrow River Derwent on
buried within.
her," he wrote, "and this completed my first
From that period remain several formalist
morning's work at Chatsworth before 9 0'-
landscape designs including a spectacular
clock.
PAULA DEITZ is co-editor of The Hudson
cascade tumbling down stone steps in the hill-
Not only did Paxton become the Duke's
Review.
great friend and confidant, but also one of the
foremost men of England as the designer of
the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition
of 1851 in Hyde Park. At Chatsworth, he built
the 1-acre-large, 67-foot-high Great Conser-
vatory (1836-40) with a curvilinear roof which
housed palms, ferns and cedars, and had
pools and tropical birds.
THE NEW YORK TIMES
New York, NY
July 8, 1984
ENIO! ann
Across the River Derwent, the classical house, whose history began in 1549, sits on its elegant grounds.
Exhibition in Washington
The National Gallery of Art in Wash-
similar periods in "rooms" that
ington has scheduled an exhibition,
demonstrate the parallel develop-
"Thê Treasure Houses of Britain,"
ment of the house itself.
(November 1985 through March 1986)
In this context, one of the houses
devoted to British country houses. It
that obviously comes to mind is
has a two-fold purpose. First, to show
Chatsworth, whose history began in
how private collecting of art and arti-
1549 and which has long been known
facts in Britain only began when the
for its superb and widely traveled col-
fortified castle evolved, in safer
lection of paintings and drawings,
times, into the more extroverted
representing 300 years and 15 genera-
country house. (This is dated to 1485,
tions of Cavendishes. Seeing Chats-
when the Tudor court settled in one
worth in its present state, before
to
place.) Second, to demonstrate that,
some its treasures travel once again
like an archeological dig, the country
to the United States, one has the rare
house is a layered field; usually cen-
opportunity of being among the
turies old, of collecting influenced by
layers themselves, in place, as ar-
shifting political tides as well as by
ranged by the 11th Duke and Duchess
travel abroad. The exhibition will at-
of Devonshire, who have lived at
tempt to unravel these layers in some
Chatsworth most of the year since
130 houses and display objects from
1959.
P.
THE NEW YORK TIMES
New York, NY
July 8, 1984
is Lily House, the forerunner in de-
important man for railroads. He stayed
Inside, the house is very large. Although
sign of the Crystal Palace, was
Chatsworth until the sixth Duke died in 1858
the public does not see all 175 rooms, the se-
built in 1850 for the exotic water
Paxton himself is buried in the church yard
lection is generous and encompasses the
lily from British Guiana, with lily
of Edensor, the model village he helped
State Rooms on the third floor - State
pads 5 feet in diameter, that was
create in various picturesque architectural
Rooms. are so called, incidentally, for their
named Victoria Regia for the Queen to whom
styles in the park of Chatsworth.
ultimate purpose of receiving royalty. Al-
he presented one of the buds. One Paxton
Like Paxton, the current Duchess the
though the collections are massive and
glass structure fortunately remains - the
former Deborah Mitford, one of the daugh
varied at Chatsworth, very little collecting
Conservative Wall, a series of 11 glass
ters (Jessica, Nancy, etc.) of Lord and Lady:
was done after the 1850's and the majority of
"cases" against a stone wall stepped up the
Redesdale - can think on the grand scale
objects stem from a few major collections.
side of the hill. The central entrance has a.
This is shown by her additions since 1950: A
The current Duke and Duchess do have an
classical fantail design over the door, and
double row of pleached limes on either side of
interest in one contemporary artist, the
just inside are the two rare Camellia reticu-
the Seahorse Fountain along the south front;
painter Lucian Freud, whose painting last
lata Paxton planted in 1850 and that are still
a serpentine beech hedge; and within the
year of an interior based on a work by Wat-
flourishing today.
walls, or ruins as it were, of the former Great
teau was the sensation of the London art sea-
Besides. planting the hillside arboretum,
Conservatory, an intricate yew maze of 1,209'
son. His 1973 "Large Interior, London, W.9"
Paxton used his engineering skills to trans-
trees. The new greenhouse, designed in 1970
of an old woman seated in front of a reclining
port enormous rocks to a rockery that now
by George A.H. Pearce, sadly points up in the
nude is on the public route while family por-
appears like a natural formation and created
awkwardness of its complex system of
traits executed by him are in the private
a waterfall from its heights. And in the Canal
terior structural supports what a great &
drawing room.
Pond, used in 1703 as a source for ice, he in-
thetic loss are the Paxton glass houses. Still;
The first Duke's silver chandelier was an
stalled a 290-foot jet d'eau powered com-
however, the new one houses the Victoria
early contribution to the treasures of Chats-
pletely by the fall of water from a special
Regia.
worth, but in the main the major collecting
reservoir at the top of the hill. Paxton be-
began with the second Duke's passion for
came a Member of Parliament and was an
drawings and his purchase of a large group of
drawings belonging to the son of a pupil of
Rembrandt. Another important addition to
the collection came through the wife of the
fourth Duke, the daughter of the architect
and connoisseur, the third Earl of Burlington,
who brought drawings by Palladio and Inigo
Jones and the furniture of William Kent to
by
THE NEW YORK TIMES
New York, NY
July 8, 1984
course - Lismore Castle in Ireland,
and Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire. But
the house. From every generation,
there is no house anywhere like
there are outstanding portraits, in-
Chatsworth, and it has fortunately
cluding works by Sir Godfrey Kneller,
been saved. Even the sale of 71 old
Sir Joshua Reynolds and John Singer
master drawings. recently at a
Sargent.
Christie's auction to raise funds for
The best plan is to see the house in
refurbishing the 25 private rooms
the morning when the mind is fresh
hardly, put a dent in the collection.
for detail, and there is time to encom-
And finally, as the Duchess wrote in
pass the grandeur of the rooms, the
her "The House: Living at Chats-
splendid wall paintings and the fine
worth" (Holt, Rinehart and Winston,
details of a Rembrandt drawing. Only
$30), a detailed history and personal
in a public museum in this country or
guide, "The house is a place for peo-
in Europe does one see the equal of
ple to live in." The house is also run
the Poussins, Claudes and, of course,
by people; and in her book, the Duch-
the array of portraits by Sir Anthony
ess pays tribute to the household staff
Van Dyck.
by stating their positions and explain-
A Raphael tapestry seems at home
ing their functions over the years.
in the State Drawing Room, and a
This section is documented by a rich
contrast to the neighboring Music
collection of photographs - and of
Room with its stamped and gilded
memories.
wall covering and trompe l'oeil paint-
Perhaps the greatest evening ever
ing of a violin on an inner door. The
at Chatsworth was in 1843 when
fourth Duke was Lord Chamberlain
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
to King George II at the latter's death
were entertained, and Paxton illumi-
and by custom inherited the death
nated, with multicolored lights, all.
bed, now in the State Bedroom.
the gardens and conservatories, and
The rooms in the north wing,
the fountains and waterfalls as well
particularly the Great Dining Room,
as the river. The Queen and the
added-by the Bachelor Duke in the
Prince drove through the Great Con.
19th century have the appearance of
servatory in open carriages to the
domestic grandeur that must be simi-
light of_12,000 lamps. By the next
lar to the private rooms of the present
morning, when the Duke of Welling-
Duke. One can feel that the great din-
ton rose early to see how it was all ac-
ing room with its meticulously laid
complished, not a trace of the
table is for people. And the adjoining
evening's festivities could be found in
sculpture gallery of classical-style
the peaceful gardens where Paxton's
works would be a happy place for
men had worked the night through
strolling after dinner and viewing the
setting the place to rights.
two very fine Sebastiano Riccis hang-
One day, it is also reported, the
ing on the wall.
sixth Duke took his friend Sir Joseph
With his title, the present Duke in-
Paxton (as he became) up to London
herited in 1950 a debt to the govern-
on a mysterious mission. As a sur-
ment of several million pounds in
prise, he had arranged for him to sit
death duties which he settled for him-
for his portrait by Henry P. Briggs.
self and future generations as well by
Today, this portrait of the handsome
selling land, giving one of his houses
Paxton hangs quite properly among
ultimately intact with land to the Na-
other family masterpieces in the
tional Trust, as well as several impor-
Leicester Passage. Truly a great
tant works of art to museums. The
man of the 19th century and the indus-
house itself is leased to the Chats-
trial age, at Chatsworth his spirit still
worth House Trust to which the Duke
prevails, in the words of the sixth
pays an annual rent for his own living
Duke, as "the quite unaltered garden-
quarters. He has other houses, of
er.
THE NEW YORK TIMES
New York, NY
July 8, 1984
View of the grounds from the State Room.
Photographs by Robin Laurance
The new greenhouse, designed in 1970.
THE WASHINGTON POST
Washington, D.C.
June 22, 1984
'Richest' Exhibit Set for Mall
By Sarah Booth Conroy
The National Gallery of Art,
National Gallery to Show
which has brought the gold of King
Tut's Egypt and the glories of the
500 Years of Britain's Best
Dresden Schatzkammer to Wash-
ington, now plans to eclipse all its
pointed out. These bucolic palaces are the great
now best known for playing Brideshead in th
former shows with "The Treasure
county seats of Britain's wealthy and powerful
television program; Blenheim Palace, wher
Houses of Britain: Five Hundred
lords, filled with the riches of the world,
Winston Churchill was born; Chatsworth
Years of Private Patronage and Art
brought back by Britain's ships in their days of
which has already sent a show to the Nationa
Collecting."
glory and domination.
Gallery; and Hardwick Hall, "more glass tha
The cost, said gallery director J.
From Titians to teapots, the objects are be-
wall," which pioneered the Country Hous
Carter Brown, is expected to
ing chosen to give a rounded view. The great
style; as well as Alnwick Castle, Attinghan
amount to "seven figures," sup-
Canova classic nude sculpture of the Three
Park, Boughton House, Burleigh, Drumlanri
ported by the Ford Motor Co. with
Graces will be in the center of one gallery.
Castle, Fyvie Castle, Goodwood, Harewood
the largest-ever corporate gift-de-
Among the works, some never exhibited
House, Holkham Hall, Houghton Hall, Lon
scribed only as "generous." The
publicly before, are: John Singer Sargent's
gleat, Penshurst, Petworth House, Powis Cas
prince and princess of Wales are
painting of the ninth Duke of Marlborough and
his family; "View of the Thames From Rich-
tle, Sledmere, Syon Park, Uppark and Woburn
honorary patrons. British Ambas-
Abbey.
sador Sir Oliver Wright said the
mond House" by Antonio Canal (il Canaletto);
Nicholas Poussin's "Arcadia"; Gainsborough's
The tastes of Paul Mellon, the National Gal
show would be "the largest and
painting of the Earl of Bristol; a Turner land-
lery's great patron, make the show a natural fo
richest and most varied to reach
the gallery. "I used to say I'm a galloping An
scape; and other paintings by Holbein, van
these shores."
Dyck, Claude, Rembrandt, El Greco, Constable
glophile," Mellon said. "but I'm afraid my gal
More than 800 objects-the
and Velázquez, as well as by the Victorians and
loping days are over. But I still keep my fond
number had gone up by 150 be-
pre-Raphaelities.
ness for everything English," he said yesterday
tween the writing of the press re-
But the exhibit is not just a painting show.
Philip Caldwell, chairman of Ford Moto
lease and the announcement yes-
It also will be distinguished by decorative ob-
Co., said that Ford's connection with the roya
terday-from 120 British country
jects: sterling silver baroque furniture from
family went back many years and "I was gla
houses will be displayed here from
Knole; Adams classical revival furniture; a
to see recently a picture of the princess o
November 1985 through March
Chippendale dining room suite; "a great
Wales enjoying her Ford Escort convertible
1986. The items will be shown only
Of the exhibition, he called it on "an heroi
amount of silver [holloware] piled up together
in Washington.
scale." It brings, he said, "a new dimension t
as they do it at Chatsworth," as Brown said;
the scope and magnitude of our participation i
The exhibit "about the idea of
Worcester porcelain figures; a mantelpiece full
civilization," said Brown at a news
of small bronzes; and a selection of Victorian
conference yesterday, "is the most
paintings.
comprehensive we have ever under-
The exhibition will be shown in the top two
taken. The Dresden show was
floors of the East Building and all the contem-
about one city, one collection. This
porary art from those floors will be moved to
one is about the history of collect-
the lower floors. The space will be arranged in
ing throughout the British Isles.
the manner of a Jacobean "long gallery" for
These treasures have never been
17th-century full-length portraits; a state room
shown under one roof before-
in the Palladian manner; a sculpture rotunda
Though there is no truth to the ru-
and a Waterloo period gallery lit from above.
mor, current in Britain, that we
"We need the high ceilings and light of the
plan to construct a British country
East Building's upper floors," Brown said. On
house on the Mall."
the other hand, there will be no attempt to
There's considerable difference
"fake up a room," he said. "There's no point in
between a Country House and a
it without the proper patina. We hope to give a
house in the country, as Brown
sense of what the rooms feel like, to evoke the
kind of spaces, the color and light. We already
have undertaken a photograph survey for the
show."
Among the great houses from which objects
for the exhibit will come are Castle Howard,
Bernini's bust of Cardinal Carlo Dal Pozzo
a major cultural event and to the whole con
cept of exhibitions."
The exhibit will be accompanied by a major
publication edited by its curator, Gervase Jack-
son-Stops.
NEW YORK NEWS
New York, NY
July 8, 1984
SUZY
Britain will shower US with treasures
ILL THE PRINCE and Prin-
in major cultural events rather than
cess of Wales fly to Washing-
leaving them to the government or a
ton next year for the opening
few modern day Medicis. Involved in
of the National Gallery's magnificent
the tremendous undertaking are Paul
exhibition, The Treasure Houses of Brit-
Mellon, chairman of the National Gal-
ain, set for November 1985? The Nation-
lery, J. Carter Brown, the gallery's
al Gallery devoutly hopes so. Consider
director, the United Kingdom's Ambas-
the luster that glamorous pair, the pat-
sador Sir Olivier Wright, Lord Howard
rons of the exhibition, would lend to the
of Henderskelfe, chairman of the com-
occasion which the gallery is describing
mittee of honor, etc. etc. etc.
as the largest and most ambitious ex-
That committee of honor, by the way,
hibition it has ever undertaken.
Treasures of the last 500 years will
is made up of such as Mrs. John Hay
be culled from such staggering stately
Whitney, the Duke of Devonshire,
homes as Woburn Abbey, seat of the
Charles Price, our ambassador to Brit-
Dukes of Bedford, Syon Park, the Dukes
ain, Walter Annenberg, Evangeline
of Northumberland's country retreat,
Bruce, Paul Mellon, the Duke of Nor-
Longleat, where the Marquis of Bath
folk, the Duke of Northumberland and
keeps a lion or two, Knole, which Vita
others too stunning to- mention. The
Sackville-West loved more than man,
next move is up to the Metropolitan
woman or child, Drumlanrig Castle, the
Museum of Art. Maybe they could bring
Scottish stronghold of the Dukes of
over the Louvre, piece by piece.
Buccleuch, Chatsworth, where the
Dukes of Devonshire dwell in splendor,
THIS NOVEMBER we in New York
Castle Howard, most famous, perhaps,
will have something royal to crow about
because "Brideshead Revisited" was
when Don Juan de Borbon a.k.a. the
filmed there, Blenheim Palace, seat of
Count of Barcelona, sweeps into town to
the ducal Marlboroughs and the place
be the guest of honor at The Spanish
where Winston Churchill was born, and
Institute's Gold Medal Gala at the Wal-
on and on and on.
dorf-Astoria. Don Juan, the father of
the King of Spain, will receive the
THE AIM OF THIS overwhelming
Institute's Gold Medal Award, and not a
exhibition, a joint Anglo-American ven-
moment too soon. This honor is bes-
ture, is to present the great riches of
towed on an individual who has contri-
British collections and to show how
buted significantly to the betterment of
they have been formed from the begin-
relations between the U.S. and Spain.
ning of the Tudor dynasty. to the pre-
If they were giving a prize for charm,
sent day. Filling the top two levels of
they'd have to strike another gold medal
the gallery's East Building, the installa-
for Don Juan, a ladies man to the core.
tion will be mounted chronologically
The honorary patrons of the gala are
according to the development of the
President and Mrs. Reagan and King
some 130 British houses represented.
Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain,
Featured will be a Jacobean "long
not bad as honorary patrons go. The
gallery" with full-length portraits of the
Duke and Duchess of Badajoz-she is
early 17th century, a Palladian "state
the guest of honor's daughter and the
room," a sculpture rotunda and a gal-
king's sister-will be there as will those
lery of the Waterloo period. Approx-
other Spanish aristocrats, the Duke and
imately 650 works of art will be on view
Duchess of Soria. Viva and ole!
including paintings by Rembrandt, Tur-
ner, Hogarth, Murillo, Velasquez, Hol-
DONALD TRUMP, the real estate
bein, Van Dyck, Titian, Gainsborough,
tycoon and wunderkind whom some
Reynolds, Constable and El Greco.
people envision as taking over the New
Some of the masterpieces will be on
York skyline, wants to make it perfectly
view for the first time, as will much of
clear that he isn't buying 21, where the
the furniture, tapestries, armor, jewel,
elite meet to eat and make deals, and
silver, porcelain and sculpture.
doesn't anticipate that he ever will. He
just wants to keep on building build-
ALL THIS MUNIFICENCE has been
ings. Donald doesn't know where the
made possible by the Ford Motor Co.,
rumor started. I do. One of his exec-
the more than generous sponsors,
utives said he'd signed the papers. The
whose chairman Philip Caldwell feels
new rampant rumor is that Donald will
that big business should involve itself
buy Tiffany's. Tomorrow the world
THE NEW YORK TIMES
New York, NY
June 22, 1984
WASHINGTON TALK
Briefing
British Treasure Houses
T
he stately homes of England
are coming to Washington next
year under the patronage of the
Prince and Princess of Wales.
As of November 1985 the National
Gallery of Art will be host to "The
Treasure Houses of Britain," which it
describes as its "largest and most
ambitious exhibition ever." Art and
artifacts spanning 500 years of gra-
cious living will be on display, start-
ing with a Jacobean long gallery
filled with 17th-century portraits and
including, the gallery says, "a Palla-
dian state room, a sculpture rotunda
and a magnificent top-lit gallery of
the Waterloo period."
About 650 works of art culled from
130 British country houses will also be
displayed, including works by Hol-
bein, Van Dyck, Titian, Gainsbor-
ough, Reynolds, Constable, El Greco,
Velázquez, Murillo, Hogarth, Turner
and Rembrandt. There will also be
representative furniture, tapestries,
textiles, arms, armor, jewelry,
porcelains, English silver, Baroque
sculpture and metalwork on display.
Among the dwellings participating
in the exhibit are Blenheim Palace,
Castle Howard, Chatsworth, Drum-
lanrig Castle, Woburn Abbey and
Hardwick Hall. A voluminous cata-
logue to accompany the exhibit is
being prepared and will contain "es-
says by leading experts on different
aspects of life and possessions in the
British country house," the gallery
says. That includes everything from
ormolu to clocks.
PHILADELPHIA INOUIRER
Philadelphia, PA
June 23, 1984
ANCHIE
A MARBLE BUST of Cardinal Carlo Dal Pozzo, made in the 17th
century by Gianlorenzo Bernini, will be in the exhibit, "The
Treasure Houses of Britain: Five Hundred Years of Private
Patronage and Art Collecting," which will open November 1985 at
the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The exhibit,
financed largely by the Ford Motor Co., will continue through
March 1986.
USA TODAY
LONG ISLAND NEWSDAY
Washington, D.C.
Long Island, NY
June 20, 1984
July 1, 1984
PEOPLE Edited by Al Cohn
Art lovers are awaiting the announcement Thursday
of a major exhibit sponsored by the USA, Great Britain and
private donors. Scheduled to open next year in the National
Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the ambitious project
ROYAL ART TREASURE: The fuss was pre-
will include paintings, furniture and other objects from
cisely what one would expect of an event involving
some of Great Britain's most prestigious private collections.
British royalty and dignitaries in Washington, and it
was appropriate. Prince Charles and Princess Diana
are the royal patrons of a major art exhibition: "The
Treasure Houses of Britain: Five Hundred Years of
Private Patronage and Art Collection," to go on view
at the National Gallery of Art in Washington from
November, 1985, to March, 1986. Announcement of
the event, which took four years to plan, was made
simultaneously in Washington and London. About
650 works of art chosen from about 130 British coun-
try houses will be displayed, including paintings by
El Greco, Rembrandt and the 17th Century Spánish
artist, Bartolome Murillo.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
USA TODAY
Chicago, IL
Washington, D.C.
June 22, 1984
June 22, 1984
About Washington
LIFELINE
IT WAS A DAY of cultural firsts for the
National Gallery of Art. Guests sipped iced tea
A QUICK READ ON WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT
with their scones. Women wore hats and the
British ambassador sported a maroon-striped
shirt and white socks with his gray suit.
TALK: Washington, D.C., is talking about the largest
At the appropriate moment the crowd assem-
exhibition ever assembled at the National Gallery of Art.
bled for an important announcement from Gallery
Announced simultaneously Thursday in Washington and
Director J. Carter Brown: an unprecedented cul-
London, The Treasure Houses of Britain - 1 500 Years of
tural exchange between the United States and
Private Patronage in Art Collecting will open in November
Britain.
1985. About 800 paintings and art objects from 130 British
Beginning in November, 1985, the National Gal-
country houses are included in the show, expected to fill
lery will provide Americans with a scholarly peek
at. 500 years' worth of artwork from 120 English
the top two floors of the gallery's East Building. Britain's
country houses. Promising "an all-star cast of
royal family also is lending works. The exhibit, sponsored
great objects" for a four-month run, Brown says
by the Ford Motor Co., will have works by such masters as
it will be the most complex show ever undertaken
Poussin, Reynolds and Rembrandt. Gallery officials hope
by the gallery.
the show's honorary patrons, Prince Charles and Princess
Ford Motor Co. will pick up the bill. Company
Diana, will attend the opening.
a
Chairman Philip Caldwell reminded the guests of
Ford's corporate presence in Britain and the fact
that the Princess of Wales uses an Escort convert-
ible.
Last but not least, Paul Mellon, the art patron
whose father founded the gallery, spoke briefly
about his obsession with things British and the
show. "I once described myself as a galloping
SAVANNAH NEWS
Savannah, GA
June 22, 1984
On Loan
National Gallery To Exhibit
British Art Treasures in '85
WASHINGTON (AP) - The National Gallery of Art
announced Thursday it will mount a multimillion-dollar
A written statement said the show 'will be
exhibition next year of 800 art treasures from the ele-
gant country houses of Britain, "the largest and most
the largest and most ambitious exhibition
ambitious exhibition ever undertaken" in the gallery's
43-year history.
ever undertaken by the National Gallery.'
The show, planned as a survey of five centuries of
private patronage and collecting of art by the British
aristocracy and housed in their vast country estates,
palaces and country houses," he said with a grin.
will open in November 1985 for four months.
"Luckily, the royal family has some of each."
Because of the value and delicate nature of many of
Britain's Prince Charles and Lady Diana are honor-
the art objects being shipped from Britain, the exhibi-
ary patrons of the exhibition, which will be insured
tion will appear only at the new East Building of the Na-
against losses jointly by the U.S. and British govern-
tional Gallery, gallery Director J. Carter Brown said.
ments.
Brown said the cost of the exhibition will run "into
The show will opén on the 500th anniversary year of
the high seven figures," and will be underwritten by the
the advent of the reign of the Tudor royal family in 1485,
U.S. and British governments with the help of a "very
and will trace the history of private British art collect-
generous" grant from Ford Motor Co.
ing and patronage from that era into the 20th century.
Ford Chairman Philip Caldwell, who joined Brown
Among the houses represented are Blenheim Pal-
at a news conference, refused to disclose the dollar
ace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill; Castle
amount of his company's contribution.
Howard, home of a close adviser to Queen Elizabeth I
The art works, selected from 130 British country
and setting of the movie, "Brideshead Revisited;'
houses, will include paintings by such masters as Hol-
Drumlanrig Castle, Woburn Abbey and Broadlands, the
bein, van Dyck, Poussin, Claude, Titian, Gainsborough,
Mountbatten family home where Charles and Diana
Reynolds, Constable, El Greco, Velazquez, Murillo, Ho-
spent their wedding night.
garth, Turner and Rembrandt.
Paul Mellon, chairman of the National Gallery's
In addition, there will be furniture, tapestries and
board of trustees, said that "as a galloping Anglophile,
other textiles, arms and armor, jewelry and metalwork
this exhibition is very close to my heart."
including English silver pieces, porcelains, antique and
Mellon, a prominent art collector himself, is the son
baroque sculpture and Dutch cabinet paintings. All will
of Andrew Mellon, the industrialist and former treasury
be housed on the upper two floors of the East Building in
secretary who built the gallery in 1941 and filled it with
settings designed to convey the atmosphere of the halls,
art from his personal collection as a $10 million gift to
museums, drawing rooms and dining salons of the coun-
the nation.
try houses.
British ambassador Sir Oliver Wright said it repre-
A written statement said the show "will be the larg-
sented "the largest, the richest and perhaps the most
est and most ambitious exhibition ever undertaken by
varied exhibition from Britain to arrive on these
the National Gallery."
shores."
Brown said most of the objects will be seen outside
He told the American people that "if we share a part
Britain for the first time, and that some were lent by the
of our heritage with you, I hope you will also think it is
British royal family. "We had to distinguish between
part of your heritage."