Rossetti, Dante Gabriel, 1828-1882

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The eight envelopes are postmarked with the following dates: 12 June 1863, 16 June 1863, 20 June 1863, 23 June 1863, 9 December 1864, 7 March 1865, 3 May 1865, and 7 July 1865.

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Rossetti says that "owing to absence," Heaton's letter has only just reached him. Rossetti provides Heaton with Arthur Hughes's address and describes Hughes as "the one ... whose genius is, beyond a doubt, of the highest order." He says that he thinks Heaton would admire his works' "genuine poetry and originality." Rossetti ends by apologizing for the hastiness of his response, explaining he is busy with work.

Scope and Contents: Rossetti accepts Heaton's commission but asks whether, if he is unable to find complementary Dante subjects for two different works, he could produce one, larger work for no more than 40 guineas. Rossetti says he has already drawn a number of small Dante subjects and is worried he might not find new inspiration from Dante for small works. Rossetti describes works in progress depicting Dante and Beatrice, saying "they would execute well ... in water colour." Rossetti remarks that he has known...

Scope and Contents: Rossetti tells Heaton that he is happy to make any changes she wishes to her commissioned drawing (Rachel and Leah) and instructs her on how to send it back to him. Rossetti admits he received Heaton's papers from Leeds but that he hadn't wanted to reply until he had some further information regarding her commission. Rossetti explains that he is more than half way towards completing a work depicting Dante's dream of Beatrice lying dead. He mentions that Ruskin has...

Scope and Contents: Rossetti tells Heaton that he has received the half of a £20 note. He has also received Rachel and Leah and tells Heaton he will have it framed. Rossetti admits that he does not know what works Millais is sending to the Royal Academy. He says that Ruskin has not seen his most recent work since it was about a third done as Rossetti asked Ruskin to wait to view it until it was finished. He says that he has not altered it "more than is unavoidable" and that...

Scope and Contents: Rossetti thanks Heaton for £30 she has sent him towards her commissioned drawing(s) worth 40 or 50 guineas. He assures her that he needed the money otherwise he would not have petitioned Ruskin to ask her for an advance. Rossetti describes ideas he has for drawings, including one of the Virgin Mary in the house of St. John after the crucifixion, stating that the motto on the frame could be "A little while and ye shall not see me, and again a little while ye shall see me." He describes the...

Scope and Contents: Rossetti tells Heaton that he delayed sending her drawing as he has not received a response from Ruskin and that he had made appointments with friends to view it. He says that the drawing's packing case is prepared and that the drawing should be ready for transportation as soon as Ruskin replies. Rossetti says he has still to decide whether to make Heaton's latest commission one or two drawings and will not know until he has finished one drawing when he will know whether to produce another....

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"I write one word to say that the drawing has gone to Oxford to Mr. Ruskin, though I am not sure it will be in time to catch him. In either case, I have arranged that it shall be sent back to me almost immediately."

Scope and Contents: "The drawing has been to Oxford, and is just back -- I suspect unfortunately without catching Mr. Ruskin. Will fix a day and hour most suitable to you after Monday, when you can see it. If equally pleasing to you, I would like to keep it by me a few days yet, that one or two friends may see it." In a postscript, Rossetti asks if the time Heaton choses is unsuitable for him whether he might be able to suggest another time. Rossetti tells Heaton that, although she would like to see his work,...

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"I shall hope for the pleasure of your visit at the hour you mention - 1/2 past 3 on Wednesday."

Scope and Contents: Rossetti expresses his hope that he can begin Heaton's commission and tells her that he will write to her if he commences the work while she is still in London so that she can visit him to see it. Rossetti admits that the "interruptions" delaying his work on Heaton's commission have also held up his other pieces and so he does not have anything "to show at present" but thanks Heaton for her continued interest. Rossetti is pleased that a gentleman has commissioned work from Arthur Hughes on...

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"In hurry today I forgot to give you the enclosed ticket for viewing the pictures of my friend Mr. Seddon. If you have time, they are well worth a visit, being most interesting both in subject and complete rendering -- quite beyond most things of the kind."

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"Tomorrow by all means, for the pleasure of seeing you and Miss [Arabella Moulton] Barrett. I've written to Mr. [William Holman] Hunt, asking him to fix a day and hour, if tomorrow would not do for him -- is not that best?"

Scope and Contents: Rossetti apologizes to Heaton for his delayed response. He tells Heaton he will be happy to show his drawings to Arabella Moulton Barrett, if Heaton arranges an appointment. Rossetti admits that he thinks there is "little [art] worth seeing" in London at the present moment, except for the Royal Academy exhibition. Rossetti notes that the Royal Academy has not exhibited Robert Browning's portrait, despite having accepted it. Rossetti recommends pictures from the collection of William Ward,...

Scope and Contents: Rossetti tells Heaton that William Holman Hunt has suggested the next day, at 3 o'clock for his meeting with Arabella Moulton Barrett and asks Heaton to tell Hunt if they can make that time, saying if they can't that they should write to Hunt to rearrange the appointment. Rossetti asks Heaton if he could send the drawing she commissioned from him to a Mrs. Marshall, of Eaton Square, who has been ill and would like to see it, assuring Heaton that Marshall shall keep it for one day only. He...

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"With your leave I will keep the drawing till Saturday -- possibly over Saturday, unless you write to me to the contrary, as people are asking me to look at it. I must apologize for all this delay, but needn't trouble you to answer, unless in the negative. I have not received the other drawing from Mr. Ruskin. Still trusting to show you some progress with the St. John drawing before you leave town."

Scope and Contents: Rossetti apologizes for the delay in sending Heaton's drawing which he has now sent along with a sketch of Dante. He has sent the Rachel and Leah case as it reached him, with a broken lid. He says he has a case for the Dante which was not made for it bespoke but which was created by Ruskin's frame maker. Rossetti thinks the case may have been sent to Ruskin's address in Oxford. Rossetti says he hopes he will have the St. John sketch ready...

Scope and Contents: "I'm sorry that I have nothing else to show you since your last visit. The drawing of St. John will soon be getting forward, I trust, but there is nothing of it yet fit to see. I believe the Brownings leave for Florence on Saturday, as perhaps you know. If you are at a loss for some one to take charge of my drawing in London (as I think you said it would not go to Leeds with you) I shall be happy to do so." In a postscript: "I deferred answering your note till near the end of the period of...

Scope and Contents: Rossetti tells Heaton that the subjects he is working on for inclusion in a new work by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, are The Palace of Art, Sir Galahad, The Lady of Shalott, Mariana in the South and possibly the Vision of Sin. He describes the drawing of the Palace of Art as being inspired by Tennyson's lines about St. Cecily and says it...

Scope and Contents: Rossetti apologizes for his delay in writing to Heaton. He admits that Ruskin did not view the St George again, as Ruskin was so delayed in arranging a viewing that Rossetti thought it best to send the drawing to Heaton. Rossetti describes the picture of St George saying "his attention is for the moment diverted by the shouts and trumpeting outside and that he is gazing out toward the procession and crowd." Rossetti promises...