Art theft [?] & Sir Joshua Reynolds

Art theft, Sir Joshua Reynolds, James Byres etc

'theft' ??? not at all like that of the Elgin marbles -- theft? the owners were keen to sell & the buyers were keen to buy, the deal would have been prevented by the Pope, and it was thus the papacy that was deceived, not the owners.

 Apropos recent stories in NY Times & Wall street Journal, yes, sir Joshua Reynolds did acquire for the Duke of Rutland Poussin's 1st set of Sacraments [the dal Pozzo set].

The story is in fact an old one, based on letters written to the Duke of Rutland by Sir Joshua Reynolds by James Byre {Romnan art-dealer] & others.
Alleyne Fitzherbert & Lord Robert Manners to the Marquis of Granby;
James Byres to the Bishop of Killala.

The correspondence also has interesting references to Gavin Hamilton, Scottish painter & art-dealer, to a Velasquez for sale, and other similar matters.

 printed in
Historical Manuscripts Commission, 14th report, Appendix Part I. "The Manuscripts of his Grace the Duke of Rutland, K.G. preserved at Belvoir castle, Vol.III" H.M.stationery Office, 1894.

 Here is the 1777 prelude to the purchase

Download Art theft

Comments

[Arttheftcentral.blogspot.com]

Tony, I'm glad you've found my post on Reynold's letters and the copying and illicit export of Poussin's Sacraments Series to be inspirational.

All the best,

Mark Durney