Letter from David Wilkie, Rome, to Sir George Beaumont, 1826 March 30 : autograph manuscript signed.

Relating news of where he has been in Italy and the art he has seen; commenting at length on his impression of the works of Michelangelo; saying "...one is naturally led to them by a strong interest at first, and that interest was not diminished by seeing them, misapprehended they may be and parts even viewed with dislike, but no one can see such works with indifference. There is a mysterious, and deep appearance of thought about them, fitting them well for his imaginative subjects, which gives to his Prophets and [illegible] a power which with the exception of Rembrandt is quite unknown to any other master. Reynolds justly says "he has discovered to this world the hidden powers of art, and raised painting on the same level with Poetry' and of the true epic sort. This unbending severity may be repulsive to some, and faith may be necessary at first, but no works can bear to be longer dwelt upon and studied than his and although a direct imitation of him will not do, there is yet scarce a style of art however high or humble its aim that might not gain by an infusion of his inspired manner of thought and design. The disappointment you very properly apprehend may be felt at first sight, is greatly to be attributed I should think to the decayed state of the frescos - these are much worse then I expected;" referring to restoration work on The Last Judgement, "...but from uncertainty of its advantages this has been discontinued and they remain dimmed and black and so stained that to the ordinary eye what must have been brilliant and impressive which I am sure they were at first is now dull and uninviting;" discussing, at length, the art of the fresco; saying he has seen Sir George's "Psyche & Zephyr" by Gibson "...which now that it is compleated in the Marble is really a beautiful work, well conceived and in the heads, flesh and extremities most delightfully executed. He, I believe, sends it off next month, is anxious about its passage & will write you when it has sailed to avert you of the time you may expect to receive it in London;" describing the society he is enjoying in Rome; reporting on his health and saying that despite all the remedies that his doctors have prescribed and that he has tried, "...thirteen months have been allowed to pass away, and though confident myself in the possibility of cure with efficient means, must be content to let precious time run on, waiting to see whether the disease or the unassisted constitution will give way the first. But if there is a Tide there is also an Ebb in the affairs of men and such has been the case with me and with my power for 3 years. The want of health being only a part, and only the more harmful by depriving me of the power of making head against it. Prudence, forethought, human skill and the choice of means seem all useless, affairs must take their course, but they may also take a turn, and it is in watching for something of this kind that my hopes and expectations are kept alive;" expressing his deep indebtedness to Sir George for his continuing assistance and kindness to him which made the trip possible and makes him wish that his recovery was within reach; adding, in a postscript, that he had been to Tivoli and had seen the places where Poussin and Wilson painted.