AN OFFENDED ARTIST

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160795, 1 November 1920, Page 5

AN OFFENDED ARTIST

PEER MUTILATES PORTRAIT. LONDON, Oct. 5. The Daily Express gives details of an unusual incident, in which tne mutilation of a portrait caused a controversy between Mr Augustus John, the wellknown artist, and Lord Leverhulme. The artist painted the peer’s picture for a large fee, but Lord Leverhulme cut off the; head, in order to fit it into a particular space, and the mutilated frame was accidentally returned to Mr John’s studio.. He was deeply insulted, and demanded an explanation. Lord Leverhulme handsomely apologised, but at the same time maintained his right to do as he liked with his own picture, bought and v paid for. Mr Augustus John maintains that the mutilation of a work of art is unjustifiable under any circumstances.