6032. Ellen Heaton to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 302.
[Leeds]
March 18– [1868] [1]
My dear Mr Browning,
It is very pleasant to me, to hear of the interest felt in several quarters, about her likeness,—& the information respecting this, you kindly gave me, makes me wish to assure you, that I hope eventually, to give the large drawing I possess, of her,—which will be this summer in the National Portrait Exn at South Kensington,—permanently to the National Portrait Gallery. The Trustees may rely on recieving [sic] this,—which is nearer to a true representation of her than any other,—& I hope to be able to request their acceptance of it within a year or two.— I always intended that it should at some time, belong to the Nation,—so, to give it is the only way in which I can aid in preserving any memorial of her– You know that I speak of the head in chalk,—for which she so kindly consented to sit, when you both were in Rome in 1859—to Mr F. Talfourd.—— I am glad to know that you approve of this destination for it.–
If we had time, when I saw you, I should have liked to ask if you knew of any very superior Lecturer on Art,—who might be engaged to give Lectures here, on the pictures in the Leeds Exhibition, this summer. [2] It is thought such a plan would have much interest & use,—but we have not found an available Lecturer, of sufficient excellence. We want Lectures possessing feeling & discrimination, as well as historic knowledge–
Believe me,
very truly your friend,
Ellen Heaton.
Publication: William S. Peterson, “‘My Spiritual Face’: A Newly Discovered Portrait of Mrs. Browning,” Browning Institute Studies, 5 (1977), 16 (in part).
Manuscript: National Portrait Gallery.
1. Year provided by reference to letter 6033, in which RB encloses this letter.
2. The National Exhibition of Works of Art was officially opened by the Prince of Wales on 19 May 1868 at the newly completed Leeds Infirmary. After the exhibition closed at the end of October 1868, the Infirmary began its proper function as a hospital.
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