System Number: 07609
Date: [1/16 June 1892][1]
Author: Aubrey Beardsley[2]
Place: London
Recipient: George Frederick Scotson-Clark[3]
Place: [London]
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC
Document Type: AL
'62'
59 Charlwood St.
Dear Clark
Thanks for letter. Have not yet got over the Leyland[4] collection. I thought I had told you how much I liked the 2 pictures of Ford Maddox Brown[5] which I saw there. The colouring is extremely preraphaelite; his "burial of Christ" might easily be taken for an early flemish painting. F. M. B. was only 8 years Rossetti's[6] senior, & as you know D. G. R.'s master.
Alfred Gurney[7] is getting quite enthusiastic over my performances which certainly improve daily. "Dante at the Court of Con Grande de la Scala" & "Cephalus & Procris" being A1. The first is a composition of about 45 figures almost a birds eye view, in a circular frame 6 inches in diameter. The second a small picture in early italian style.
I have not yet fully a conceived a fit design for the "Zepparali shirkums[hiz?]ing her shon",
By the way I don't agree with you that Rossetti is "infinitely preferable" to E B Jones[8]. However I share your admiration of Veronica Veronese[9], which is I think in every respect his most perfect, beautiful single figure painting Some Size
[p. 2, drawings[10]]
Whistler has a large painting in his peacock room I suppose this is what you mean by the Jap Girl painting a vase The figure is very beautiful gorgeously painted Colour being principally old [gold?]
I advise you to get Atalanta for this month. it contains an article by Miss [Zimerun?] on "A Tapestry Gallery at Florence," full of glorious designs. I enthuse somewhat over the same
[p. 3, a drawing of three figures going round a gallery] Going thro' the rooms
I've just seen a wonderful little boy in the street (10½ yrs) who draws in chalks on a large board. Subject a castle & sea surrounding it. done in grand Style I can tell you
[drawing[11]]
[p. 4] 10 miles of [illegible]
1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00 apologies for leaving out the G in your name.
TA TA
I AM
ever yours
Aubrey Beardsley[12]
I dont know if you have seen the enclosed utterances of J Brett[13] on art education. I thought perhaps, that if you had not, they might interest you[14].
I see there is a notice on Keats, on the other side
I enclose Jap Sketches. Official Performances[15] -
[sketch[16]]
Please find out the right side, to gainful effect place against piece of White paper
[another sketch[17]]
Same size
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [1/16 June 1892]
Dated by sale of 49 Princes Gate in London by auction on 17 June 1892 (see Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (YMSM 178)).
2. Aubrey Beardsley
Aubrey Vincent Beardsley (1872-1898), designer and illustrator [more].
3. Scotson-Clark
George Frederick Scotson-Clark (1872-1927), poster designer [more].
4. Leyland
Frederick Richards Leyland (1832-1892), ship-owner and art collector [more].
5. Ford Maddox Brown
Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893), painter [more].
6. Rossetti's
Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882), artist and poet [more].
7. Alfred Gurney
Rev. Alfred Gurney (d. ca. 1901), poet and priest, admirer of D. G. Rossetti.
8. E B Jones
Edward Coley Burne-Jones (1833-1898), painter and designer [more].
9. Veronica Veronese
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Veronica Veronese
(1872: Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington).
10. drawings
Drawings of four peacocks and JW's La Princesse du pays de la porcelaine (YMSM 50) on a gallery wall; at the foot of the page is a tree lined avenue.
11. drawing
Drawing of a boy sketching on a board.
12. Aubrey Beardsley
The signature is written inside the body of a black bird. The bird is perched upon a gallows from which hangs a skull.
13. J Brett
John Brett (1830-1902), painter of coastal scenes and landscapes [more].
14. interest you
'I don't know ... interest you' written on left of signature drawing.
15. Official Performances
'I enclose ... Official Performances' written on right of signature drawing.
16. sketch
Sketch of a figure in a drawing room working at a desk.
17. another sketch
Sketch of a skeleton artist in cape and feathered hat, holding brushes and easel.