Julia Margaret Cameron (British Photographer; 1815 - 1879) was a great friend and admirer of George Frederic Watts (British Artist OM RA; 1817 - 1904). Watts painted her portrait in 1852-1854, a few years after her return from Ceylon and in the early days of their friendship. Cameron corresponded regularly with Watts and sought his advice about her work. The artist returned her enthusiasm with an admiration of her photographs, as is evident in his replies below. Letter from George Frederic Watts (British Artist OM RA; 1817 - 1904) to Julia Margaret Cameron, (British Photographer; 1815 - 1879) undated, assessing her recent photographs. My dear Mrs Cameron A thousand thanks for your last Photographs, which I think your very best, I dont know which I prefer, all the heads are divine, & the plates very nearly perfect, the tone too is excellent, if you are going on Photographing your grand child & he is well worth it; do have a little shirt made of some yellowish material, the block of formless white over the back of the larger boy spoils the whole picture, what would not do in a painting will not do in a Photograph, but I am delighted with the amount of gradation you have obtained. ... I can well appreciate what is noblest in Art, & your last photographs harmonise well with the effects I wish to produce, but you must not be satisfied there is more to be done & whilst that is the case we must never think anything done, I know your difficulties but the greatest things have been done under difficulties Yours most sincerely G.F.W. Signor © National Portrait Gallery, London npg.org.uk/collections/about/primary-collection/documents-relating-to-primary-collection-works/npg-p215aw.php https://facebook/nationalportraitgallery
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 03:30:52 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015