LEAR, Edward (1812-1888). Artist and nonsense poet.
Significant Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed correspondent [almost certainly Lady Waldegrave], 4 pages 8vo (two small pieces of mounting tape) , 65 Oxford Terrace, Hyde Park, 17 July 1853.
Informing her, in view of her wish to see Holman Hunt's paintings, that he had called on Hunt the day before and found that he had the completed [The Light of the World] ('... his painting from the text "I stand at the door & knock" ...') and The Hireling Shepherd there, and stating that he has arranged for her to go to Hunt's 'study', with her sister Lady Canning if she wishes, should they 'take the trouble of going so far as his dwelling' the following day since he is uncertain of times after that ('... the necessity of Models & fixed hours etc etc obliges those Artists who do not seek for visitors to be accurate as to times devoted to study ...'); Lear mentions the esteem in which his correspondent holds Hunt ('... your appreciation of his great talents ...') and that Hunt has reciprocally heard of her and Lady Canning as artists, indeed Lear has made a half promise that they will bring some of their work for Hunt to see, and offers to accompany them should they wish him to.
Holman Hunt's Light of the World and The Hireling Shepherd are two of the most celebrated pictures of the Victorian era.
Lear and Hunt, who first met in 1852, became close friends after spending months in Sussex, with Lear as Hunt's pupil in painting and Hunt as Lear's in Italian and then they travelled up the Nile together. Lear called Hunt 'Daddy' or 'Pa' and thought of himself as a Pre-Raphaelite Son. They planned together to illustrate Tennyson's works. Lear kept 'Ye Booke of Hunte' and declared that he had learned more about art from him than anyone else. The rolled sheet music of Lear's setting of Tennyson's 'Tears, idle tears' was included in Hunt's painting The Awakening Conscience (which Lear called the 'Lady of Eyelashes').
The visit of Lady Waldegrave and Lady Canning to see the two pictures is a matter of independent record. Lady Canning was so impressed with The Light of the World that she wanted to purchase it, but Hunt had a prior obligation to Thomas Combe, who became its first possessor. She did however buy his picture of Venice.
£1650 [No: 24745]
Significant Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed correspondent [almost certainly Lady Waldegrave], 4 pages 8vo (two small pieces of mounting tape) , 65 Oxford Terrace, Hyde Park, 17 July 1853.
Informing her, in view of her wish to see Holman Hunt's paintings, that he had called on Hunt the day before and found that he had the completed [The Light of the World] ('... his painting from the text "I stand at the door & knock" ...') and The Hireling Shepherd there, and stating that he has arranged for her to go to Hunt's 'study', with her sister Lady Canning if she wishes, should they 'take the trouble of going so far as his dwelling' the following day since he is uncertain of times after that ('... the necessity of Models & fixed hours etc etc obliges those Artists who do not seek for visitors to be accurate as to times devoted to study ...'); Lear mentions the esteem in which his correspondent holds Hunt ('... your appreciation of his great talents ...') and that Hunt has reciprocally heard of her and Lady Canning as artists, indeed Lear has made a half promise that they will bring some of their work for Hunt to see, and offers to accompany them should they wish him to.
Holman Hunt's Light of the World and The Hireling Shepherd are two of the most celebrated pictures of the Victorian era.
Lear and Hunt, who first met in 1852, became close friends after spending months in Sussex, with Lear as Hunt's pupil in painting and Hunt as Lear's in Italian and then they travelled up the Nile together. Lear called Hunt 'Daddy' or 'Pa' and thought of himself as a Pre-Raphaelite Son. They planned together to illustrate Tennyson's works. Lear kept 'Ye Booke of Hunte' and declared that he had learned more about art from him than anyone else. The rolled sheet music of Lear's setting of Tennyson's 'Tears, idle tears' was included in Hunt's painting The Awakening Conscience (which Lear called the 'Lady of Eyelashes').
The visit of Lady Waldegrave and Lady Canning to see the two pictures is a matter of independent record. Lady Canning was so impressed with The Light of the World that she wanted to purchase it, but Hunt had a prior obligation to Thomas Combe, who became its first possessor. She did however buy his picture of Venice.
£1650 [No: 24745]
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