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The National Gallery has linked hundreds of its famous paintings to slavery – if somewhat tenuously in many cases.
For three years, staff have carried out an audit to identify artworks that may have been owned by, or were painted by, anyone with links to slavery.
So far, they have covered paintings the gallery acquired between 1824 and 1880 – resulting in many favourites being tarnished.
British masterpieces by the likes of Constable, Gainsborough and Hogarth have fallen under the spotlight, along with works by Renaissance greats Raphael, Titian and Botticelli, whose Mystic Nativity was once possessed by William Ottley, who owned 17 slaves in Antigua.
The National Gallery has linked hundreds of its famous paintings to slavery – if somewhat tenuously in many cases. Pictured: The Hay Wain by John Constable, oil on canvas, 1821
Raphael’s Pope Julius II was bought from the collection of John Angerstein, who insured slave-transporting ships. Dutch master Rembrandt’s Self-portrait At The Age Of 63 was bought from George Brodrick, who came from a
