DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61252#0262
218 THE SUTHERLAND GALLERY.
of the proscribed nobility; these were arranged in the con-
vent des Petits Augustins, now 1’Ecole des ‘Beaux Arts,
and Le Noir was nominated Conservateur du Musee Na-
tional des Monumens Frangais, for so this collection was
styled under the Emperor. In 1816, after the second
restoration of the Bourbons, the museum was dispersed,
and the office of Conservateur des Monumens Franc; ais
suppressed, no one seems to know by whose order or in-
fluence, for Louis XVIII. disavowed the whole affair,
with strong expressions of chagrin. Le Noir was after-
wards appointed curator of the royal monuments at St.
Denis. He died much regretted in 1839, and apparently
reduced in circumstances, having been obliged the year
before to dispose of his gallery of original portraits. The
Duke of Sutherland became the purchaser, through the
agency of Mr. D. Colnaghi, and the chief part of the collec-
tion having been framed, with names and dates carefully ap ¬
pended, is now arranged in the lower apartments at Stafford
House.* Many drawings included in the collection are
bound up in a volume.
To the historian and antiquarian, this series of authentic
portraits is especially valuable; it is also most interesting
to a lover of art. There are several pictures in oil by the
French painters of the two last centuries, some of great
beauty and interest; but undoubtedly the most valuable
and curious part of the collection, is the series of drawings
and miniatures of the 16th century, from the reign of
Francis I. down to that of Louis XIH. To draw up a
catalogue raisonne of the whole as it ought to be done,
* At the time that Mr. D. Colnaghi made this acquisition for the Duke, the
French government was negotiating for the purchase, but cavilled at the price,
though confessedly far below the value of the collection. The Duke of Suther-
land paid at once the sum demanded, and thus secured the treasure to this
country. Perhaps it may add to our satisfaction, and comfort our self-love, to
reflect that other governments can be mean, and short-sighted, and penny-wise
on such occasions, as well as our own.
of the proscribed nobility; these were arranged in the con-
vent des Petits Augustins, now 1’Ecole des ‘Beaux Arts,
and Le Noir was nominated Conservateur du Musee Na-
tional des Monumens Frangais, for so this collection was
styled under the Emperor. In 1816, after the second
restoration of the Bourbons, the museum was dispersed,
and the office of Conservateur des Monumens Franc; ais
suppressed, no one seems to know by whose order or in-
fluence, for Louis XVIII. disavowed the whole affair,
with strong expressions of chagrin. Le Noir was after-
wards appointed curator of the royal monuments at St.
Denis. He died much regretted in 1839, and apparently
reduced in circumstances, having been obliged the year
before to dispose of his gallery of original portraits. The
Duke of Sutherland became the purchaser, through the
agency of Mr. D. Colnaghi, and the chief part of the collec-
tion having been framed, with names and dates carefully ap ¬
pended, is now arranged in the lower apartments at Stafford
House.* Many drawings included in the collection are
bound up in a volume.
To the historian and antiquarian, this series of authentic
portraits is especially valuable; it is also most interesting
to a lover of art. There are several pictures in oil by the
French painters of the two last centuries, some of great
beauty and interest; but undoubtedly the most valuable
and curious part of the collection, is the series of drawings
and miniatures of the 16th century, from the reign of
Francis I. down to that of Louis XIH. To draw up a
catalogue raisonne of the whole as it ought to be done,
* At the time that Mr. D. Colnaghi made this acquisition for the Duke, the
French government was negotiating for the purchase, but cavilled at the price,
though confessedly far below the value of the collection. The Duke of Suther-
land paid at once the sum demanded, and thus secured the treasure to this
country. Perhaps it may add to our satisfaction, and comfort our self-love, to
reflect that other governments can be mean, and short-sighted, and penny-wise
on such occasions, as well as our own.