5154. RB to Dante Gabriel Rossetti

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 30, 174–175.

[London]

[ca. 10 January 1863] [1]

Dear Rossetti,

I have taken you at your word, you see—do you remember the rest of our convention. I can’t say how much you will oblige me. Go to any expense you think proper—it will always come to much less than I should be charged,—for horrible work.

I send the little thing of the Room [2] —which you will do your best for, I know–

What I send are—Margheritone, [3] Two Saints (probably by Lorenzo Monaco), [4] St Berna<d>ino by Giovanni di Paolo, [5] Holy Family by F. Brini [6] (pupil of Andrea[)], [7] and a Bishop’s head by Giottino, [8] I think.

Ever yours affy RB

I can’t disengage the vase, which was to hold wood: could it be done up?

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: University of British Columbia.

1. Approximate dating based on RB’s reference to letter 5152 and on Rossetti’s response in letter 5157.

2. George Mignaty’s painting of the drawing room at Casa Guidi. It is reproduced as the frontispiece to volume 29.

3. Margarito d’Arezzo, or Margaritone (fl. ca. 1250–90).

4. Lorenzo Monaco (ca. 1372–ca. 1427), painted in Siena and Florence. These two paintings on a single block of wood sold in an unspecified lot in Browning Collections (see Reconstruction, H21).

5. Giovanni di Paolo (1399–1482), artist of the Sienese school.

6. Francesco Brina or Del Brina or Brini (1540–86), Florentine painter.

7. i.e., Andrea del Sarto (1846–1530), whose work influenced Brina, though a master & pupil association was not possible.

8. Giottino (Tommaso di Stefano), (fl. 14th century), Florentine painter. This portrait of a bishop sold as part of lot 66 in Browning Collections (see Reconstruction, H24).

___________________