LADY ASTOR’S PICTURE IN COMMONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 4 October 1924, Page 9

LADY ASTOR’S PICTURE IN COMMONS

A battle is being waged over the suitability of Mr Charles Sims’s picture of (be introduction of Lady Astor to ’no House of Commons ;is a decoration of the House. It will remain where it is for the present, to give members au opportonity to make up their minus on its artistic value (says The Times). Meanwhile, Lord Astor has made a statement tin the picture's history. Ue sa’-a that, acting on suggestions undo to him in May, 1923, he approached ihrse responsible and inquired whet her, in ,viow of the historic character of the scene, and of the fact that other it indents connected, with tint growiii o'Parliament laid been recorded mi the walls'of f ile House, a picture of the first woman MP. being introduced into Hie Mouse of Commons would be. acceptable. The first Commissioner of Works,- after consultation with others, not only as to the relative importance of the' event, but- also !l»' to the proposed painter lUttl the position hi which the painting should replaced, accepted the gift. Mr Sims, R.A., was accordingly commissioned to paint' the scene. There has been no attempt to "slip” the picture in, or to make any mystery of it, or to glorify any personalities. Lord Ba Ifouv and other'M. P.’s helped the artist l, y giving him sittings, anti plmtogrgph* of the American Ambftgsjidpr (who was in the Distinguished Strangers’ Gallery)’ were obtained in order to make the scene as historically accurate as possible, Lady. Astor. far from having (rifk] to foist upon Parliament a picture of herself; had nothing to do with the matter, and was, when originally told of the proposal, rather against it.