New chief for London’s National Gallery

and it ain’t Malcolm

A month ago I reported on rumors that Malcolm Rogers, director of Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, was a “top candidate to lead London’s National Gallery.” However the job will apparently go to Nicholas Penny of Washington’s National Gallery, according to reports in the Guardian Tuesday and in today’s New York Times.

The Guardian says:

Nicholas Penny is expected to be confirmed as the new director of London's National Gallery, following the abrupt departure of his predecessor, Charles Saumarez Smith. A selection panel has submitted their decision to the prime minister, Gordon Brown, who is expected to make a formal announcement next week.