6033. RB to George Scharf
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 303.
19. Warwick Crescent,
Upper Westbourne Terrace, W.
March 19. ’68.
Dear Mr Scharf, [1]
I enclose a letter just received from Miss Heaton, [2] which speaks for itself. The portrait is that which I referred to as the best in existence, perhaps,—and as such, recommended to the Portrait Exhibition,—whither it has been sent, and where you may inspect it. I was aware of Miss Heaton’s intention of eventually offering it to the Portrait Gallery, and therefore the less disposed to assist the introduction of an inferior work by whomsoever the artist.
Would you have the goodness to make what reply you think proper directly to Miss Heaton,—6. Woodhouse Square, Leeds? She purposes having a copy made for herself, a second for me, and then giving the Gallery the original, if they accept it.
Pray believe me, Dear Mr Scharf,
Yours very truly,
Robert Browning.
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. George Scharf (1820–95), artist and gallery director. In 1857 he was appointed as the first secretary of the National Portrait Gallery, a position he held until the year of his death.
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