작품 상세

Constable (John, 1776-1837). Two autograph letters signed 'John Constable', 25th May 1832 & 30th March 1837, [both to W.W.B. Tiffin], 'There is no commanding time so well as at the present - I therefore enclose a draft (8 of the picture which I much love - is not 10£ too much for The Deckar - or is it the original price - but I give you "a charte blanche" - but use your usual discretion and I shall be perfectly satisfied, always. Who is Mr Wilbur Ellis - I have heard of him too! - but I am the more flattered at its being bought by a stranger - I had 35gn. for it. My price being 40gn., I deducted 5gn. as Mr M was profficial [but that was the only time deleted], with an initialled postscript to page 2 indicating that he has the last number of his work should Tiffin be coming that way the following Monday, 'I do hope you'll say it is the best. Also - the proof of the books is far advanced', 2 pp., 4to, the second letter, 'I am delighted to see the arrangement of the Ostady. I send next in order what I have of Dusart - Begar- and Teniers - !!! Thus keeping to Etchings at present. 1. Of Begar I have 23. I find no more at present, 2. of Dusart - 10, 3. of Teniers - 8. N.B. I wish to have the companion drawing of the Bolgnone (the tower) - but your messenger went so quickly - had I not better have the fine Ostade which you proposed to me. You shall have the Claudes & Swaneveldt & Co., as you like by degrees!! Beside the paper which the book will contain - is also cut to the size which you have now for the Ostades. Save the brown paper the Begars are on', 3 pp., initialled note at head of first page, '(Recd. the day before his death, W.W.T.)', 8vo These letters are transcribed in R.B. Beckett (ed.), 'John Constable's Correspondence IV, Patrons, Dealers and Fellow Artists', Suffolk Record Society, volume X, 1966, pp. 176-77: 'Tiffin was a dealer, with whom Constable had dealings late in life. His gallery was in The Strand, and the artist may have found this convenient when his academical duties often took him to Somerset House. Tiffin is mentioned in a letter written to Leslie in 1835 as having some pictures by Constable for sale, one of which had attracted Lord Northwick. Two letters written to him by Constable are known [the two letters offered here]. On the former it's been noted by someone else that it was addressed to Tiffin'. Provenance: From the family of Dr. J.C. Brown. (2)