[incomplete copy] [Thomas Gainsborough], to Hon. Mr. Stratford

RA Collection: Archive

Archive context

Showing item 75 of 168 in this group

Reference code

AND/3/111

Title

[incomplete copy] [Thomas Gainsborough], to Hon. Mr. Stratford

Date

[c.1777]

Level

Item

Extent & medium

1 piece

Content Description

Partial transcription by Anderdon:

He is "daubing away" for the exhibition and has two large landscapes and three portraits ready. He reckons the landscapes his best. He thinks half-lengths are lost in the "monstrous large" room. He offers to retouch chalk drawings when he comes to town.

Anderdon notes, in May 1859, that he narrowly missed buying the letter and that it sold for 2 to 3 guineas.

Location of Originals

The fact Anderdon saw the original in a sale in 1859 is discouraging. But it is possible that the original letter resides with the archives of the Stratford family in the National Library of Ireland, NRA 31520 Stratford, or at the Public Record Office for Northern Ireland, D.2538.

Bibliography

Thomas Gainsborough, by William T. Whitley, London, 1915, p.141