Beschreibung:

TURNER, Joseph Mallord William (1775-1851). Autograph letter signed to Francis McCracken Cavendish Square, 11 November 1844 , apologising for not having answered his correspondent's note expressing a desire for a 'companion picture', and referring to a painting of the Righi, 2 pages, 4to ; FRITH, William Powell (1819-1909). Autograph letter signed to Mrs. Hartley, Bayswater, 29 October 1885 , warmly thanking her for some reproductions of Watteau, encouraging her to visit England, and commenting on Ireland, books and other matters, 4 pages, 8vo . Francis McCracken a Belfast packing agent and a somewhat troublesome patron to Turner and also Rossetti, commissioned two paintings in 1844, one evidently of the view from the summit of the Righi, Turner replying 'if it must be from the top (the fashionable spot) the picture must be left alone until the next visit to Switzerland, say next year'. He refers also to the size of canvas required, 'larger than my travel frames', and begs that if the picture is to be exhibited in 1845 it should not be engraved or copied. Turner's Venetian painting Returning from the Ball was painted for McCracken and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1845. (2)