DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68073#0400
374
OLD WORLD MASTERS
As this portrait of the Duchess was the first “star” that ever rose
in an auction-sale, it is worth while putting forward here the con-
temporary account of an event which has passed into history. The
London Times records:
“The sale of the modern pictures belonging to the Wynn Ellis
Collection on Saturday last created such a sensation as has never
been experienced in the picture world of London. Throughout the
week the pictures had attracted a considerable number of visitors,
but on the day preceding the sale the interest came to a climax
and crowds filled the rooms of Messrs. Christie, Manson, & Woods.
Anyone passing the neighborhood of St. James’s Square might well
have supposed that some great lady was holding a reception and this,
in fact, was pretty much what was going on within the Gallery in
King Street. All the world had come to see a beautiful Duchess,
created by Gainsborough; and so far as we could observe, they all
came, saw, and were conquered by her fascinating beauty.
“When the portrait was placed before the crowded audience a
burst of applause showed the universal admiration of the picture.
The biddings commenced at one of 1000 guineas, which was immedi-
ately met with one of 3000 guineas from Mr. Agnew; and, amid a
silence of quite breathless attention, the bids followed in quick suc-
cession until 10,000 guineas was announced. Mr. Agnew then called
10,100 guineas and won the battle in this most extraordinary contest. -
The audience densely packed on raised seats round and on the floor
of the house, stamped, clapped, and bravoed.”
And now comes the story!
Twenty days after this sale, on the night of May 26, 1876, the gal-
leries of Messrs. Agnew were entered, the canvas was cut from the
stretching frame, and the Duchess was carried off!
Where?
By whom?
The picture was already too well-known to be saleable and to make
it still better known photographs of the picture were immediately
placed in every shop-window in London. The subject became of
universal interest: pictures of the Duchess were printed on every
OLD WORLD MASTERS
As this portrait of the Duchess was the first “star” that ever rose
in an auction-sale, it is worth while putting forward here the con-
temporary account of an event which has passed into history. The
London Times records:
“The sale of the modern pictures belonging to the Wynn Ellis
Collection on Saturday last created such a sensation as has never
been experienced in the picture world of London. Throughout the
week the pictures had attracted a considerable number of visitors,
but on the day preceding the sale the interest came to a climax
and crowds filled the rooms of Messrs. Christie, Manson, & Woods.
Anyone passing the neighborhood of St. James’s Square might well
have supposed that some great lady was holding a reception and this,
in fact, was pretty much what was going on within the Gallery in
King Street. All the world had come to see a beautiful Duchess,
created by Gainsborough; and so far as we could observe, they all
came, saw, and were conquered by her fascinating beauty.
“When the portrait was placed before the crowded audience a
burst of applause showed the universal admiration of the picture.
The biddings commenced at one of 1000 guineas, which was immedi-
ately met with one of 3000 guineas from Mr. Agnew; and, amid a
silence of quite breathless attention, the bids followed in quick suc-
cession until 10,000 guineas was announced. Mr. Agnew then called
10,100 guineas and won the battle in this most extraordinary contest. -
The audience densely packed on raised seats round and on the floor
of the house, stamped, clapped, and bravoed.”
And now comes the story!
Twenty days after this sale, on the night of May 26, 1876, the gal-
leries of Messrs. Agnew were entered, the canvas was cut from the
stretching frame, and the Duchess was carried off!
Where?
By whom?
The picture was already too well-known to be saleable and to make
it still better known photographs of the picture were immediately
placed in every shop-window in London. The subject became of
universal interest: pictures of the Duchess were printed on every