26th Apr 1939

Southampton City Art Gallery opened by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, in a ceremony involving Ernest Berry Webber, the architect of the Civic Centre complex; George Loraine Conran, curator of the new gallery and Sir Kenneth Clarke, the Director of the National Gallery, who had agreed to be an advisor on the gallery's purchasing policy panel. Richard was invited to join the panel and served on it for many years. The relationship forged then between the National Gallery and Southampton Art Gallery continues to this day.

Richard did not show any works in the opening exhibition, but participated in an exhibition there in July/August.