Knight, John Prescott, 1803-1881

Scope and Contents: "That as the abolition of the varnishing days has diminished the rare opportunities hitherto enjoyed for social intercourse between academicians and appreciates it is most desirable for the sake of maintaining the kindly feelings which exist between the members - it is therefore proposed that the academicians club be now thrown open to all members of the Royal Academy with academicians and associates, upon payment of the appointed subscription, and that to meet the enlargement of the club,...

Scope and Contents: Knight writes that it has been agreed by the General Assembly that a room in the new building should be dedicated to watercolors. Knight adds that discussions with the various watercolor societies have determined that the watercolors should not be hung with mounts but "'panned[?] close' like as oil painting." Knight adds "if mounts were to be permitted one quarter or one fifth of the exhibition space given to water color art would be sacrificed to white paper - so you will perceive the...

Scope and Contents: "My Dear Redgrave, I submitted your protest on the matter of mounts to the committee at this last meeting. They regret that the means they adopted to obtain, as it appeared to them, the best judgement on such matters should have permitted[?] so unsatisfactorily to any member of the Academy - But as the printed expectations have by this time been forwarded to all parts of the Kingdom, the council conceive that no change could be made for the forthcoming exhibition and should the effect prove...

Scope and Contents: "My Dear Redgrave, Many thanks for yours of the 1st July[?] - The misunderstanding into which […] has fallen will be made clear to you when I recall to your recollection that besides the enlarged photo I also wished him to take a photo […] my portrait of Sir William Tite - the latter he could not at that time undertake and it was postponed until after the Exhibition - the [...] undertook to execute in three or four days saying - that 'being work which he could do in the Evening, it would not...

Scope and Contents: "My Dear Redgrave, the enclosed letter which I addressed to you […] has been returned to me 'not known' - as if you had not made your mark in every foot of this[?] domain[?]. I will send it to your private address, and the post-office authorities cannot fail to know that the letter is if no importance further that it clears me of having expected more than was permitted. - Bother! There are two or three flies having a game of hunting the hair on the top of my [...] bald pate, so abruptly...

Scope and Contents: "Dear Sir, Suffering much a sharp attack of sciatica complicated with other disabling ailments. I find myself unable to join the council festival of this evening & the more regret - this after having absented[?] at the social gathering 'according to ancient custom' in twenty-seven years - I forward to you the president's letter requesting me to take the chair in his absence. - You will now have to elect your own chairman. The following are the [...] toasts of the evening. - The Queen -...

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"My dear Mr Redgrave, Mrs Butter Johnstone […] has asked me to recommend her a person of judgement, who could undertake the re-arrangement of her collection of pictures. - Surely your vast establishment can provide many […] - can you help me to the right man? Yours very true, John P. Knight."

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"My Dear Sir, at the meeting of council held on the 10th March the following members were nominated to act as committee for the ensuing Winter Exhibition. - Viz: Mr Rd[?] Redgrave - C.W. Cope - F. Leighton - F.R. Pickersgill - A Elmore - Geo. Richmond - Sir Wm. Boxall - & S.A. Hart. The hanging committee to consist of - Mr Redgrave - Cope - & Leighton. Your obed. servant, John P. Knight. RA.

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Knight tells Redgrave that the minutes for the last council meeting are in the hands of Mr Eyre. The resolution of Mr Landseer's reques[?] of the keepership was passed. Knight writes that he has "spoken to the International Authorities about [Redgrave's] letter and urged an immediate reply."

Scope and Contents: "My Dear Redgrave, It is evident you do not apprehend my position - you advise me to ask the president to allow me 'to withdraw the letter wholly' - There is no letter to withdraw that when you say the president ('partly read') - contains the distinct statement that I had not the slightest idea of tendering my resignation - and that I was able and willing to carry on my official duties. - It was written at the President's request for certain information.- Oh for a few minutes quiet...

Scope and Contents: Knight writes that the President has put him in "a fake[?] and painful position - after the last general assembly he made statements to [him], which it seems were not strictly justified - the action therefore of the council on my suppose[d] intention to resign office, or of my supposed desire to be relieved from the duties of office." Knight writes that this was "altogether premature." Knight wishes Redgrave to withdraw the "question from further discussion in the council." He writes,...