DreamTeamDownloads1, FTP Help, Movies, Bollywood, Applications, etc. & Mature Sex Forum, Rapidshare, Filefactory, Freakshare, Rapidgator, Turbobit, & More MULTI Filehosts - Slavery Links -King James II Portrait in No 11 ‘Under Review’

Slavery Links -King James II Portrait in No 11 ‘Under Review’

A James II portrait newly displayed in 11 Downing Street is “under review” over links to slavery.

The Telegraph 18 DEC 2021.

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Provided by The Telegraph As both the Duke of York and then the king, James II led the Royal African Company

The portrait of the king was installed in the drawing room of Number 11, the official residence of the Chancellor, during a summer re-hang of government-owned art understood to have been requested by Rishi Sunak.

As both the Duke of York and then the king, James II led the Royal African Company, which was responsible for shipping large numbers of slaves from Africa to the Americas.

The 17th-century painting now displayed prominently above a fireplace is under review, it can be revealed, as the Government Art Collection (GAC) pursues a historical “interrogation” to highlight “hidden narratives” among its 14,500 works.

The GAC - part of the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) - launched a collection-wide review under the leadership of Penny Johnson, its longtime director, who earlier this year unveiled a £50,000 commission exploring “colonialism” intended for display in official British buildings around the world.

King James II’s portrait - painted in around 1660 by John Michael Wright - has been highlighted as part of GAC's re-appraisal, with online catalogue information stating: “Interpretation about this artwork is under review”

A now-deleted online note on the painting also stated in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 that: “The Government Art Collection recognises its responsibility to artists, colleagues and all our audiences to represent the diversity of the UK and to embed anti-racist and equitable practices throughout our work.

“We are taking action to address inequality in the collection and its interpretation.”

James II’s portrait was installed in the Number 11 state drawing room, a space used for formal receptions, in the wake of this reappraisal and after the GAC review of its artworks began.

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Portrait of King James II hangs above the fireplace in Number 11 Downing Street © Provided by The Telegraph Portrait of King James II hangs above the fireplace in Number 11 Downing Street

While it is understood that changes to artworks in Number 11 drawing room would be under the remit of the Chancellor, the GAC helps select artworks for any re-hang requested by politicians.

'Retain and Explain' Policy

The GAC has said that while the portrait’s interpretation may be under review, the painting will not be taken down due to the Government's policy to “retain and explain” potentially controversial objects rather than remove them.

The GAC said that the purpose of its review “The reinterpretation process will be an opportunity for reflection, interrogation and challenge and will be carried out in line with the government’s policy guidelines on ‘retain and explain’.

“The main focus will be to contextualise and reconfigure existing and hidden narratives.

“In line with the Government’s position, the GAC will not be removing any pieces of artwork.”

The GAC uses the vast collection of artworks to project Britain's soft cultural power in official government buildings and in diplomatic posts across the world.

The DCMS and Mr Sunak have been contacted for comment.