DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52801#0177
MR. BUCHANAN'S IMPORTATIONS.—Italy. 173
the acquisition of the famous Ambrogio pictures
having actually been lost through over caution,
and an opportunity allowed to escape, which, as
Mr. Irvine has said, could never again return.
A division of the property was therefore resolved
on, which took place about this period.
As soon as this took place, Mr. Buchanan im-
mediately set to work to endeavour to acquire
some of those objects which were of the first im-
portance ; but for the acquisition of which it was
absolutely necessary to run certain risks, or re-
linquish them entirely, as the moment for such is
always transient. Among these was the famous
picture of the Bacchus and Ariadne, which he in-
structed Mr. Irvine to renew the negotiation for,
and endeavour to procure at all hazard^ and even
a large price. In this he was backed by the pre-
sent Lord Kinnaird, who well knew the great im-
portance of that highly classical work; and his
exertions were ultimately crowned with success,
for in the month of May following he writes the
following letter—
Rome, 31 st May, 1806.
“ Since my return to Rome I have had several
conferences on the subject of the picture formerly
mentioned, without, however, coming to any con-
clusion, as I remained fixed at the offer formerly
made, and the other appearing equally determined
the acquisition of the famous Ambrogio pictures
having actually been lost through over caution,
and an opportunity allowed to escape, which, as
Mr. Irvine has said, could never again return.
A division of the property was therefore resolved
on, which took place about this period.
As soon as this took place, Mr. Buchanan im-
mediately set to work to endeavour to acquire
some of those objects which were of the first im-
portance ; but for the acquisition of which it was
absolutely necessary to run certain risks, or re-
linquish them entirely, as the moment for such is
always transient. Among these was the famous
picture of the Bacchus and Ariadne, which he in-
structed Mr. Irvine to renew the negotiation for,
and endeavour to procure at all hazard^ and even
a large price. In this he was backed by the pre-
sent Lord Kinnaird, who well knew the great im-
portance of that highly classical work; and his
exertions were ultimately crowned with success,
for in the month of May following he writes the
following letter—
Rome, 31 st May, 1806.
“ Since my return to Rome I have had several
conferences on the subject of the picture formerly
mentioned, without, however, coming to any con-
clusion, as I remained fixed at the offer formerly
made, and the other appearing equally determined