House of Lords: Royal Gallery Frescos
Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall and Lord Sewel
The Chairman of Committees
My Lords, I fully anticipate that the curator, once this research has been completed, will be able to come forward with proposals for the conservation, cleaning and lighting of the murals so that they can be restored to their full glory and vibrancy—I hope before any future visit by a French President.
Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall
My Lords, does the Chairman of Committees agree that one of the reasons why it is important that these murals be preserved to the best standard that can be achieved is that Daniel Maclise was himself a very important artist? He was important both in Parliament and outside it, he was a friend of Charles Dickens and he died, as I recollect from my reading, in not very propitious circumstances and in poverty. Part of the reason for that was his relationship with the Houses of Parliament. Is it not the case that we would do well to restore his reputation with his pictures?