First among equals
Sir: In his letter of 16 March, Roy Miles refers to Canova's Three Graces which may be seen at the Hermitage Museum. I have visited Leningrad and studied this work on half a dozen occasions during the last year and was convinced every time that the Woburn version is the superior in quality, both of material and carving. It is of course true that the Hermitage marble was the earlier, by some three years; however, to be precise, the 'original' is neither of these but the very beautiful plaster model pre- served at the Gipsoteca Canoviana at Possagno near Venice.
Those with strong interests in selling works of art away from England at vast prices will use any argument, however illogical or irrelevant, to support this very profitable activity. May I just point out that it is obviously untrue that the British Government cannot afford to repair its own property, viz. the V&A roof. It has
LETTERS
merely become Tory policy not to do so. Any private owner who acted in such a way would rightly be considered foolish and culpably improvident. Perhaps Mr Miles himself will put some 'energy and effort into raising funds' from taxpayers who he thinks ought to carry out the Government's duty?
John Kenworthy-Browne
12 Hollywood Road, London SW10
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