Letter: Bogus interpretation of Queen Mary

Friday 13 June 1997 23:02 BST

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Sir: I see that "Planners go to war against the Queen of Scots" (11 June).

So should art historians.

The old chestnut portrait you reproduce of "Queen Mary" is as bogus as any naff Disneyesque historical pleasuredome. The picture itself is at Montacute, from the National Portrait Gallery, and is a lovely Elizabethan portrait, but of an unknown lady - a prime example of the Northern Renaissance from which the punters are said to run away.

May the Lord preserve us from tatty Interpretation Centres, Theme Parks, Experiences, New Art History and all their ghastly anodyne kin. Meat not gruel, please.

CHRISTOPHER FOLEY

Director

Lane Fine Art

London SW10

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Letter: Bogus interpretation of Queen Mary

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