VISITORS to York Art Gallery always express their delight in the Burton Collection of Victorian narrative paintings.
John Burton, himself a splendid example of the Victorian ideal of the self-made man is almost forgotten.
As a collector, Burton precisely reflected the popular taste of his time. Therein lies the charm.
What is certain is that his bequest of over a hundred contemporary paintings laid the foundation of what has become a collection of national importance.
Rikki Scalway will be celebrating Burton's contribution to the cultural life of York in the first of the summer season of lunchtime talks in the gallery on Wednesday, June 5.
It is to be hoped that this will be the prelude to a greater appreciation of the man.
Besides being a great public benefactor, Burton was also a philanthropist.
His will stipulates that all money raised from the display of his collection should be distributed amongst the poor of the city.
In view of the late head of museums services' decision to impose admission charges, I inquired of leisure services how this legal duty is presently discharged. Answer came there none.
William Dixon Smith,
Welland Rise,
York.
Updated: 11:55 Friday, June 07, 2002
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