The Cotman Letters 1804-1833

(pencil notes) 121
[Norwich]

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Dawson Turner Esq
Yarmouth.
17 Oct: 1829.

Dear Sir,
I have great pleasure to say your pictures arrived here all perfectly safe. It is thought that the Gaspar (sic) Poussin would be improved every way by a wash of lukewarm water & then to be passed over with a thin coat of Nut oil & rubbed off again ‘till nearly dry. The water is simply to wash off any town soil there my be upon the Picture, and the small quantity of oil left after the rubbing with a silk handkerchief will varnish & benefit the picture, as well as bring the colors (sic) forward, or out.
I beg leave to ubmit this opinion to your consideration, and to ask whether you would approve such a method, to be adopted. With the greatest deference I submit this as the method to be adopted for I wish particularly that a Gaspar (sic) Poussin should look to advantage. (In landscape it should be my school.)
The Poussin is placed over the chimney piece: the Bellini in an angle: the Jan Steen at the end of the room – all on a level with the eye – Catharine Parr above the level level, on the side: the Hobbima (sic) is not yet fixed. The exhibition promise to be a very fine one. Every attention [[is]] has been paid to the Yarmouth Pictures.
With the greatest Respect, your obliged & obedient servant
John. S. Cotman.
Saturday morning. 17th Oct. 1829.

1. John Steen
2. Poussin
3. Bellini
4. C. Parr.
5. Hobbima not up
   (small sketch shows plan of locations)

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(pencil note)
{*The second Exhn. Of the work of Ancient Masters was held by the Norfolk & Suffolk Society of Artists in 1829.]