Letter: Busy at the Tate

Busy at the Tate

Sir: Ian Burrell's interpretation of visitor figures at the Tate (report, 16 August) was misleading. Last year's high visitor figures were entirely due to the Cezanne effect, which added over a half million to our regular attendance.

Far from the trend being down, attendance at the Tate is conspicuously up. This, our centenary year, is set to be the busiest ever. Along with our highly popular Centenary Displays, the exhibition programme includes three major blockbusters, Mondrian, Rossetti and Bonnard. Last Saturday was the gallery's busiest day ever, with over 8,000 visitors, and we are already up over 20 per cent on figures for the same period last year.

DAMIEN WHITMORE

Head of Communications

Tate Gallery

London SW1