Correspondence

5753.  George Frederic Watts to RB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 82.

Little Holland House

May 13. 1866

Dear Poet

Will you come & let me make a commencement of a head on Tuesday about half past 11. [1] & afterwards go with me to make acquaintaince with Lord Lothian? [2]

Your’s Most Sincerely

G. F. Watts.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Princeton University.

1. This portrait in oil by George Frederic Watts (1817–1904), painter and sculptor, was completed in 1866, probably before RB left for his summer holiday. Exhibited at the French Gallery, London, in November 1866 (see letter 5830, note 4), it is now in the National Portrait Gallery, London. It is reproduced as this volume’s frontispiece.

2. William Schomberg Robert Kerr (1832–70), 8th Marquess of Lothian, eldest son of John William Robert Kerr (1794–1841), 7th Marquess of Lothian, and his wife, Lady Cecil Chetwynd (née Chetwynd-Talbot, 1808–77). He is listed in RB’s address book of this period (AB-5) at 36 Belgrave Square.

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