Useless for the Royal Academy to argue that it had overlooked the canvas, for its dimensions were seven feet by five; it represented a policeman, a simple policeman, life-size, and it was not merely the most striking portrait imaginable, but the first appearance of the policeman in great art; criminals, one heard, instinctively fled before it.

No! The Royal Academy really could not argue that the work had been overlooked.

And in truth the Royal Academy did not argue accidental negligence.

It did not argue about its own right to exist.

It did not argue at all.