The Cotman Letters 1804-1833

Dawson Turner Esq
Yarmouth
pencil note: [Norwich]
Wed 7. Nov. 1st 1826
Dear Sir,
The King's Collection of pictures, now exhibiting in Pall Mall, closes on Saturday. I have heard so much of them that I can resist the temptation no longer. I therefore leave Norwich tomorrow to see them, and hope to improve by them and to paint, come what may, for I can no longer bear the stigma that I hear so continually rung in my ears that trees I cannot either draw or paint, without making a struggle to clear myself from what I consider an unjust assertion.
I have been labouring hard lately in that department of my art, and I cannot finish those labors by comparing what I have seen and what I have done to the highest standards in this country. The comparison may be humiliating. So much the better. I shall profit the more. I love my art. I m not afraid of trouble.
I will rise or fall. But to stagnate, whilst the tide is running, is death to me. My dear sir, pray excuse my non-attendance and be ever my friend - as I will be your grateful and obliged
J.S.Cotman

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pencil note in left margin: See Norfolk Chronicle and Norwich Mercury - reviews of exhibition of 1826.
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pencil note: [written on 1813 Whatman drawing paper]
further note: An album of drawings [[belonging to]] compiled by the Rev Charles [[D]] Turner, vicar of St Peter Mancroft, contains a drawing in pencil by Cotman 10 x 7½ - of 5 boys batting in a stream with a background of trees, & 2 boys, [3 words illegible] on bank with a fishing rod - "J.S.C. Dec:31-1826-Jan 1 - 1827-}
Midsummer Holidays
By Bnd, [1 word illegible] 6- 7-
spoken by Dixon at Mr Turner's Recitation, 1826. This subject composed during the recitations."