Agenda item
Earl of Minto Portrait
Consider Update.
Minutes:
5. EARL OF MINTO POTRAIT
With reference to paragraph 2.1 of the Minute 16 March 2021, Ian Brown reported that on 14 July Councillors Turnbull and McAteer, along with Nuala McKinlay and Ian Brown met on Zoom with the Earl of Minto to discuss the possibility of the painting being accommodated on the Minto estate. The Earl of Minto expressed a willingness to help find a suitable home for the painting and offered space in the “Old Dairy”. This offer was welcomed and it was agreed that the next step would be for Ian Brown and Shona Sinclair (Live Borders Museum Service) to visit the Old Dairy and assess its suitability.
5.1 Ian Brown and Shona Sinclair met with the Earl on 10 August 2021 at the Old Dairy and whilst the space was certainly not 100% ideal it did appear to be suitable. Although the building was relatively small it did have walls that were high enough to accommodate the painting. The Dairy was a substantial stone building and should be able to provide a relatively stable environment. When visited the humidity level was high but this was immediately after a very wet spell of weather and the building was already equipped with a dehumidifier and an alarm system. The Estate use the building for small meetings and functions and portraits of two other family members, including the 1st Earl’s wife hung on the walls. These portraits had been hanging for about 12 months and appeared in relatively good condition. As this was a building that already had an element of use it should be possible to include an agreement for reasonable access should there be particular reason for requests to view the painting. The condition of the painting would require to be closely monitored on a three monthly basis initially for any deterioration. The National Gallery of Scotland (NGS) would be approached for a condition report so that there was a base line for monitoring the condition of the painting, which Live Borders had agreed to undertake on an annual basis. Mr Brown recommended that the Earl’s offer to provide accommodation for the painting should be pursued and the next steps would be to draft a loan agreement that was acceptable to both parties. The agreement would be a loan arrangement between Hawick Common Good and the Earl of Minto.
5.2 Councillor Paterson raised concerns that leasing the portrait to the Earl of Minto may result in the loss of the portrait through the passing of time and proposed that the painting be sold as it was a Hawick Common Good asset. The majority of those present were in favour of the portrait being re-housed with the Earl of Minto, who would be responsible for the insurance and bound by a legally enforceable agreement, as the portrait required to be removed from the National Gallery and an alternative found. The Sub- Committee considered selling the portrait and were advised of the cost of sending the portrait to auction. The Sub-Committee agreed to accept Lord Minto’s open invitation to visit the building prior to making a final decision.
5.3 Councillor Paterson moved that the portrait be sold, there was no seconder and the motion fell. Councillor Paterson asked that his dissent be recorded.
DECISION
AGREED:-
(a) to accept Lord Minto’s open invitation to visit the building prior to making a final decision.
(b) that Ian Brown arrange for the Sub-Committee to visit with Lord Minto as soon as possible and advise the Councillors.