William Jackson, Exeter, to Ozias Humphry

RA Collection: Archive

Archive context

Showing item 20 of 139 in this group

Reference code

AND/4/30

Title

William Jackson, Exeter, to Ozias Humphry

Date

9 Jun 1780

Level

Item

Extent & medium

1 piece

Content Description

He encloses a letter to "Merlin", who should pay the bill. He has been to Oxford where they found Tom very well. He then details reasons for his admiration of Jervais's glass after Sir Joshua Reynolds. At Bath they heard Miss Guest play on the pianoforte and he thinks highly of her abilities. His efforts in the garden, including the "precepts of Mawe and Miller", have failed, "the snails laugh" at him.

He recommends that Humphry give up portraits and focus on history painting, he then discusses colouring and the example of old masters. To head his profession an artist must think for himself. Sends his compliments to Mr. West, and assures that Mr. White is well.

Provenance

Anderdon notes on the reverse that the letter was previous in the collection of Dawson Turner. The note is dated 1859.