By Ralph Barnett

ARBROATH COUNCILLOR Jim Millar has welcomed the addition of a colour print of the missing portrait of the Queen Mother to the Portrait of Angus exhibition, which opens today at The Meffan in Forfar.

The print, made from a black and white photograph of the original work, has been set in the recently uncovered original frame, and Mr Millar said he hoped its exhibition might jog someone’s memory as to the whereabouts of the original.

The portrait of the Queen Mother, who was Duchess of York at the time, was painted by acclaimed artist James Peter Quinn in 1931 but was found to have vanished when an inventory of the local authority’s art collection was carried out in 1975.

Despite considerable publicity the painting—valued at more than £25,000—remains elusive, although several theories as to its fate have been put forward as well as persistent rumours which suggest the work remains in or around the Arbroath area.

One rumour has it that Quinn’s portrait was one of several paintings and frames destroyed in a fire, however Mr Millar said this seemed increasingly unlikely.

Another theory that remained untested until recently was that a hard-up art student at Hospitalfield House, where the painting was stored for safekeeping during the second world war, may have painted over it.

However Mr Millar’s aunt, artist Pat Gordon, who studied art at Hospitalfield House many years ago and who now lives in Italy, has confirmed students simply did not have access to these works.

Mr Millar said, “It seems to me that the stories of the painting’s possible destruction are becoming increasingly unlikely and we may have to give more credence to the possibility that the painting remains in the area.

“In a bid to encourage more interest in the hunt, myself and my Angus Alliance colleagues have each pledged to contribute to a reward of £1000 either for the painting itself or information leading to its safe return.

“This colour print shows just how striking this work of art really is.

“There is no question by now that if anyone locally has the painting in their possession, then they must know it belongs to the council, and I would urge them to either come forward and return the work or have it returned anonymously through a third party.

“It’s not too late to do the right thing.”

The exhibition runs until April 19 as part of the Angus Tartan Week programme.