National Gallery Act 1856

1856 CHAPTER 29

An Act to extend the Powers of the Trustees and Director of the National Gallery, and to authorize the Sale of Works of Art belonging to the Public.

[23d June 1856]

WHEREAS Pictures and other Works of Art acquired for the National Gallery by Purchases out of Monies granted by Parliament, and by Bequests and Donations, have been placed under the Care and Ordering of Trustees and a Director (appointed by the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury for that Purpose): And whereas it is expedient that Power should be given to dispose of such of the Pictures and other Works of Art under the Care and Ordering of the said Trustees and Director as they may adjudge to be unfit or not required for a National Collection, and that Pictures and other Works of Art given to or for the Benefit of the Nation should, where no other Provision is made by the Donors, vest in and be under the Care and Ordering of the said Trustees and Director:

Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, as follows :