Thirteen letters from Charles Eastlake to Charles H. Bellenden Ker

- 2 Nov 1847: Eastlake must attend Sir R. Inglis's club on Friday. Hopes to get Chevalier [?Bunsen] to dine and meet [Ludwig] Gruner on Sunday. He has proofs of his 'Contributions to the Literature of the Fine Arts' [edited by Bellenden Ker in 1848] and wishes to confer with him on the order of the chapters and the quality of the contents. He has thought of using the essay started in Italy but which never appeared in the 'Quarterly Review'. He notes that 'poor Watson' desired, in his Will, the execution of his unfinished works.

- 3 Jan 1848: Eastlake reports that he has seen the new 'Art Union' and thought the woodcuts from Rembrandt [by Harriet Clarke] 'quite wonderful'. Considers that the journal 'with its designs for good furniture, with its news of continental art & now & then a good letter & Essay "adapted to the meanest capacity" is really the fittest kind of publication to be widely spread'. Notes that in respect of art publications, he is 'too fond of the recherché' but now sees 'the use of plainer instruction'..

- 18 Feb 1848: Eastake as been revising the preface to 'Contributions' and suggests two quotations from Joshau Reynolds. Rejects the idea that 'books on art are peculiar to modern time' and lists several authors of treatises in the fifteenth century. Asks if [Ludwig] Gruner told Ker that Eastlake's chimney caught fire? In a long postscript, Eastlake speaks of the preface to 'Contributions' and Ker's role as the volume's editor.

- 19 Feb 1848: Eastlake continues his observations on the writings of the early Italians and ancient art. Has dipped into the first volume of the 'Edinburgh Review'.

- 21 Feb 1848: Eastlake writes of the British traditional hostility to theory being a current problem for the development of art history as a discipline.

- 11 Mar 1848: Eastlake discusses the formation of a new society which Eastlake says he will not join due to health issues and too many other engagements.

- 7 Apr 1848: Eastlake has read the review of C.R. Leslie's book [probably 'Memoirs of The Life of John Constable, Esq. R.A.'] which he considers 'quite charming'. Shares some observations concerning J.M.W. Turner.

- 15 Aug 1848: Eastlake comments on Ker's ill health; relates that he once 'killed Ariosto' in the original while unwell in Rome and made 'a point of understanding every work'. He invites Ker to come and meet [Antonio] Bezzi [who would become a sort of secretary to Eastlake].

- 9 Jun 1852: Eastlake writes approvingly of a stained glass window designed by Miss Clarke.

- 20 Jan 1854: Eastlake reflects upon glass-painting, particularly on issues concerning originality and copying.

- 24 Jun 1854: Eastlake offers his critical observations on a stained glass window.

- 5 Feb 1858: Eastlake offers his critical observations on a stained glass window.

- 2 Jan 1861: Eastlake wishes Bellenden Ker better health and spirits. Thanks Ker for givinh him the 'refusal' of head - apparently a picture already exhibited. Lady Eastlake lost a sister in Russia, 1859; now she has lost a brother of whom she saw little in later years.

Includes Robertson's research notes and correspondence with Joan Leopold and Francis Fortescue-Brickdale exchanging copies of letters, and biographical and genealogical information about Bellenden Ker and Harriet Clark (letters from Eastlake to the latter are in NGA61/1/4): Francis Fortescue-Brickdale's eldest cousin Matthew had sold the collection of Bellenden Ker letters to Winifred Myers; catalogue of 'A Centenary Exhibition of works by Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale, 1872-1945' at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1 December 1972 to 7 January 1973; typescript inventory of letters and cataloguing slip.

Purchased from Winifred A. Myers (Autographs) Ltd. in 1972; see NGA58/2/51.