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Evacuation |
Storage |
Rothenstein's role |
Bomb damage |
Other uses of the building |
The re-opening
The re-opening
When the war ended in 1945, Rothenstein faced the seemingly impossible task of getting the practically ruined Gallery with its dispersed collection,
up and running again.
He put pressure on the Ministry of Works to repair the damage to the building and meanwhile, working with a tarpaulin over the damaged roof,
Rothenstein got to work re-creating the Gallery's administrative structure, with the help of his newly appointed assistant Norman Reid.
Of the five carriages of work dispersed to the safe country locations, only one, Benjamin Robert Haydon's Study for the Raising of Lazarus was
noted as 'missing'.
Even three paintings on exhibition in Paris at the outbreak of war, were returned safely - having been looked after by members of The Resistance during
German occupation. |
Works returning from storage in Piccadilly underground station
© London's Transport Museum |
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On 10 April 1946 the Tate Gallery was partially reopened again by Ernest Bevin, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Despite the fact that only six galleries were fit to open, the public came in greater numbers than before the war.
It was not until 14 February 1949, that the Gallery was re-opened in its entirety.
The Sphere 'The Tate Complete'
© Illustrated London News Picture Library |
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