Those were the days

Selections from

The Herald Picture Store

SALVADOR Dali’s Christ Of St John Of The Cross, one of the most treasured paintings in Scotland, stirred controversy when it was bought for £8,200 in early 1952 by Dr Tom Honeyman, director of Glasgow Art Galleries and Museums, and again when it went on display at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in June that year.

In January, “Le Christ”, as it was then referred to, was exhibited in Glasgow for a few hours, impressing members of the arts and galleries committee. “My own view,” said convener John D Kelly, “is that no-one should discount the possibility this work by Dali might one day be acknowledged as one of the masterpieces of the world.”

Many people wrote to The

Herald to voice their approval or disapproval, though the art critic of the Church of England newspaper praised Glasgow Corporation for its “courage and discernment” in buying the Dali and added that the city “on a purely business basis ... has done a shrewd deal”.

The picture, which had yet to be framed, went on show at Kelvingrove on June 5. “The crowd that passed the picture”, said The Herald, “were largely silent, too impressed for quick reaction. They stood in untidy rows and quietly gazed ... The general feeling was that the picture was a great one.” Of the 2,600 people who saw it over the first four days, the “overwhelming verdict” was one of approval.

As before, the painting attracted numerous letters. “In my humble opinion”, said Mrs J Brown, “this is the greatest picture to have been painted in this century. It is so very realistic in depicting our dying Lord, and certainly touches our very souls with great awe.”

Frank H Sherry said his approval “exceeded my highest expectations”; Gordon M Ross suggested the Corporation now purchase the manuscript of Auld Lang Syne at a Sotheby’s auction; A.B. wrote, “The commercial exploitation of a Biblical episode which is of deep religious significance to many people is regrettable, but the gullibility of those responsible for the purchase of this picture is the worst feature of the whole business”.

John B Francey said people would travel from all over the world to see the panting. One reader spoke of its uncommon power, with Christ’s face being “mercifully” hidden from view.

“Is that not a vital defect?”, challenged ‘Veritas’. Ijs.fullarton pondered why Dali might have been too humble to portray Christ’s face. William Speirs said the painting was “an offence to the Protestant Christian mind”. Dr Honeyman himself, writing to say most of the letters he had received had supported the Corporation, repeated part of a letter from someone who was firmly opposed to the painting yet admitted “...until now

I have never heard of Salvador

Dali nor have I seen the picture”.

The Dali is seen here in July 1961, main image and, above, in 2006, with the then Lord Provost Liz Cameron.