[On Composition and Decoration]
RA Collection: Archive
Archive context
Reference code
RI2/2
Title
[On Composition and Decoration]
Date
[c.1879]
Level
Item
Extent & medium
1 document of 35 pages
Previous reference codes
2046.B
Content Description
A reading of the text suggests this is an earlier draft of RI2/1. It flows more rapidly, the tone is more colloqiual, "the styles of Titian, Raphael, M. Angelo, Giotto and what not" frequently opinion is expressed in a less measured way, for instance impressionism is dismissed as "abrupt and slovenly imitation of unselected nature". Passages that are solidly in the body of RI2/1 here appear as newly penned marginalia.
Many themes that are carefully worked through in RI2/1 are here sketched somewhat more lightly. The final element of "On Decoration" is formed of a discussion of British artists with Sir Joshua Reynolds, Benjamin West and Henry Fuseli coming in for trenchant criticism. Richmond then finishes with an extended celebration of William Blake, pondering what he would have achived had the great walls of London been open to him. Only Stothard is mentioned in the same positive terms, and then in passing.
Many themes that are carefully worked through in RI2/1 are here sketched somewhat more lightly. The final element of "On Decoration" is formed of a discussion of British artists with Sir Joshua Reynolds, Benjamin West and Henry Fuseli coming in for trenchant criticism. Richmond then finishes with an extended celebration of William Blake, pondering what he would have achived had the great walls of London been open to him. Only Stothard is mentioned in the same positive terms, and then in passing.
Associated Material
RI/2/1 - another draft of the same text.