BIB_ID
414667
Accession number
MA 1581.212
Creator
Wilkie, David, Sir, 1785-1841.
Display Date
London, England, 1819 November 25.
Credit line
Purchased from Benjamin Ifor Evans, 1959.
Description
1 item (3 pages, with address) ; 23.1 x 18.8 cm
Notes
This letter is from a large collection of letters written to Sir George Howland Beaumont (1753-1827) and Lady Margaret Willes Beaumont (1758-1829) of Coleorton Hall and to other members of the Beaumont family. See collection-level record for more information (MA 1581.1-297).
This letter formerly identified as MA 1581 (Wilkie) 19.
Address panel with postmarks and seal to "Sir George Beaumont Bart / Coleorton / Ashby de la Zouch / Leicestershire."
Day of writing from postmark.
This letter formerly identified as MA 1581 (Wilkie) 19.
Address panel with postmarks and seal to "Sir George Beaumont Bart / Coleorton / Ashby de la Zouch / Leicestershire."
Day of writing from postmark.
Provenance
Purchased as a gift of the Fellows from Benjamin Ifor Evans, 1954.
Summary
Discussing the painting he is working on that was commissioned by the Duke of Wellington; xxpressing his regret at missing him when he and Lady Beaumont were in London and his regret at missing an opportunity to hear about his travels in Switzerland; referring to comments Sir George made to his mother on seeing sketches of Wilkie's proposed painting of Wellington and discussing his work on the Wellington picture; saying "My mother told me every thing as nearly as she could that you observed upon the Sketches of the Duke's picture and indeed I meant to have written you to ask some particulars about these before beginning the picture which your letter now sufficiently explains. The sketch which you prefer was the 2nd and not the 1st. It was made for the purpose of trying some alterations which as they consisted chiefly in having younger men in the picture made me put in a prominent place that figure which you are pleased to call a 'son of Glee'. This required a considerable change in all the figures at that corner and altho' to my mind the composition in that part is in itself improved, it has been thought not to make so neat an arrangement when considered in respect to the rest of the picture. The Duke gave various directions about what he liked and disliked in both, but did not give any preference about this point, but Mr. Charles Long who was at Apsley House at the time gave his opinion in favour of the other, tho' I do think I could have satisfied him had there been an opportunity that the second was an improvement. I am from all this most heartily glad that you prefer the second one and that this figure is the cause of your preference. I agree with you perfectly that it 'not only gives animation to the whole but seems essential to connect the groups & carry the light through the picture." As I am at full liberty so far as his Grace is concerned I shall now have no hesitation in adopting it when I proceed with the picture;" thanking him for his invitation to come to Coleorton but saying that right now it is too far from London and that he might have been able to visit had Sir George been at Dunmow; expressing his hope that he will see him when he is next in London so that he might hear more about his travels in Switzerland; asking to be remembered to Lady Beaumont.
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