The Cotman Collection | 72

The Cotman Letters 1835-1837

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/3/1/4
Page: p 135 recto


  • Description

    Letter from J. S. Cotman to J. J. Cotman, describing a new picture of a man and woman praying and another depicting a monk.

    Typed transcript with some handwriting and two sketches.

    Date: 31 Oct 1836

  • Transcription

    {Typed transcript with some handwriting and two sketches}
    (Oct 31. 1836)
    Addressed to Mr. J. J. Cotman
    Norwich.

    My dear John
    As it is a quarter past 12 o’clock I suppose I must date this letter Monday Octr 31st. Yesterday Sunday, Saml Dixon called in to say he was about to send to Norwich tomorrow, leaving Edmund a Letter at the same time from Mr. Arthur Dixon. Which by the bye he might have Answered by this Conveyance but I am afraid he will not, as he is by this time fast asleep and this will be posted by 8 o’clock to ensure its going - - so, John tell Mr. A. D. - - And I had forgotten you. having been till this moment composing another Subject for a picture Which has deeply interested me, as it will make a very broad and simple picture.
    The subject is two figures praying a Man and Woman thus. –
    /
    {sketch of two people praying}
    /
    The Female to have a large white Collar and quiet light Bluish grey gown. The man to be in Drab, the faces to be brilliant as I can make them and the back ground, very dark light brown and Black and warm Grey. The pavement Whitish and Redish. I have nearly completed a picture of a Monk, and hope to finish another, it’s companion, in about a fortnight, both these to be lent to the Bath Exhibition. The large one has been at a Standstill in consequence of getting these done as pot boilers. They are in the frames I had in Norwich with round tops
    /
    {sketch of frame}
    /
    I expect a Frame for the large one this week a handsome it will be, You see I am very busy consequently you know how I am. Ann has been very busy too, and most usefully too, good girl as she is, for the College, her Drawings take wonderfully. We are all well but Edmund, But I hope he is almost so, he is free from his disorder, he

Letter from J. S. Cotman to J. J. Cotman, describing a new picture of a man and woman praying and another depicting a monk.