The New York herald., 1922-02-07
Famous Blue Boy
of GainSborough
Arrives Secretly
Same Masters 'The Cottage
Door Also Here Under
Guard.

Gainsboroughs Blue Boy the IA
nous painting by the English master
which Duveen Brothers of New York.
London and Paris purchased from the
Duke OF Westminster's collection for
Henry Il. Huntington at a price said to
be fl1O.OO0 and brought from London
with the utmost secrecy by way of Paris,
arrived safely in the United States yes
terday on board the French Line steam
ship La Savoie in custody of Messrs.
Hunt and Todd of the Duveen London
galleries. They brought with them also
another Gainsborough. THE Cottage
Door," said to be only little less valI-
able than the famous Blue Boy"
The arrival Of the paintings furnished
the first intimation that art circles in
the United States had that Duveen
Brothers were bringing to this country
second Gainsborough. Sir Joseph Du-
veen refused last night to comment on
the arrival Of THE Cottage Door," but
denied that 1t also had been purchased
for Mr.. Huntington, for whom the d.
veens acted as agent in the negotiations
that preceded the buying of Blue Boy"
from the Westminster collection.
The Cottage Door Is just a purchase
OF Duveen Brothers" said Sir Joseph.
I'VE did not act as agent in buying IT,"
Paintings Valued at S1,OOO,OOO.
The two paintings. WORTH together
more than $l,000,000 were sent TO the
Appraisers Stores at Washington and
christopher streets last night after .hey
had I'm taken from the steamship, and
tnis morning they will be sent to the
Duveen Galleries. following their inspec-
ton by Government customs agents. Sir
Joseph said that Blue Boy" wculI re-
main in seclusion for a fortnight after
Which II would be on exhibition at the
Duveen Galleries for three Seeks. the
proceeds to go to the Fifth Avenue Hos
pital. At the end of the exhibition it
VIII be shipped to Mr.. Hunting ion,s gal
leries In California.
Sir Joseph said that when The paint
ing was unpacked at the Appraisers
stores he found that Sir Charles
Holmes, curator Of the Natio- "a! ~ -ileries
IN London. where the paintiIs was ex-
hioited before 10000 persoa. during
three weeks, had scrawled In ptpcil on
the back "Au revoir." possibly express
siVe or the hope that the maste piece Is
not irrevocably lost to England.
Both paintings were packed IN steel
cases and then in wooden cases bound
with iron. They were taken ty Mr..
Todd and Mr.. Hunt from the National
Galleries at the conclusion of the exhibi-
Ton OF 'Blue Boy" there and shipped
across the English Channel TO Calais
and thence to Paris.
The cases containing the paintings re-
mained in Paris for several days. un-
known to any but their guardians, after
which Todd and Hunt took them by
train to Havre, reaching there just in
time to board the Savoie for the United
States. During the voyage the paint
ings weer In speciallp purepared state
room and were guarded as closely as
possible. Either Mr.. Hunt or Mr.. Todd
remained at all times within sight of
them. No one In the United States ex-
cepting Sir Joseph Duveen knew that
the paintings had been shipped. 1t is
understood that an insurance value of
l.95O,000 francs was placed on Blue
Boy" and 1,56O,000 francs on 1.-The Cot
tage Door"
"COttage Door, Arouscs Interest.
The fact that the Duveens purchased
and now have brought to the United
States another Gainsborough I'm addition
to Blue Boy" Is expected TO arouse
much interest in American and English
art circles. In spite Of the denial OF Sir
Joseph Duveen 1t was generally believed
last night that THE Cottage Door" also
Will eventually find its way into the gall
leries OF Mr.. Huntington. At the time
Blue Boy" was purchased the Duveens
bought also from the Duke of Westmin-
ster Sir Joseph Reynolds portrait of
Mrs. Siddons as the Tragic Muse" pay
ing 100000 for the two the lerg-
est price ever paid for two paint
ings. 1t was said at the time, however.
that some years ago the Duke of West
minister refused an offer of $500. 900 for
the paintings from an American col
lector 1t is not known what disposition
the Duveens intend to make or have
made of the Reynolds, although Il has
been reported that 1t is to go to the
Louvre in Paris.
Blue Boy" is generally considered
the best of Gainsborough's work. and IS
said to have been painted after Gains
borough had had an argument with Sir
Joshua Reynolds as to the value of malS-
Ing blue the predominant color in a
portrait. 1t Is believed to be the por-
trait OF a member of the house of Bot
tall. wealthy iron founders of London.
SALE Of IApANESE ppTNTc