[Thomas Lawrence], Palazzo Quirinale, to Joseph Farington, Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, London

RA Collection: Archive

Reference code

LAW/3/52

Title

[Thomas Lawrence], Palazzo Quirinale, to Joseph Farington, Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, London

Date

20 Jul 1819

Level

Item

Extent & medium

3 pieces

Content Description

He sends thanks for the news from home; he speaks of the illnesses of Mr. Angerstein and Mr. West, the latter should give up painting and his family persuade him not to retouch older paintings; he is also sad to hear of Owen, although is glad he is painting still; he wishes Turner was here, and expands on the theme of Turner, Claude, Gaspar Poussin and Rome, he mentions that Callcott has to yield to Turner in such matters; he also wishes that Farington, West and Mrs. Wolff were with him; mentions that "taste and quickness of perception" in a woman can take the place of "labor and of study"; he has completely succeeded in his portraits of the Pope and the Cardinal and is popular in Rome, he is particularly pleased about this as the public are familiar with David and Camuccini, indulges in a critique of Camuccini; analyses the process of painting the Pope, jokingly compares the situation to one experienced by Titian; he describes a service and celebration at the Vatican; describes a visit with the Duchess of Devonshire to a Palace owned by the Prince of the Peace; he mentions that Mrs. Wolff and Miss Croft have saved his London home by arranging for repairs; discusses the character of Robert Smirke; further describes his life in Rome and his work on theportrait of Consalvi; he is sad that Metternich has now left and describes his time with the Prince and his family, continues with a lengthy tribute to Metternich.