Dickens, CharlesAutograph letter signed ("Charles Dickens") to William Boxall 18 May 1858, regarding a dinner engagement 1 page (to sight: 170 x 107 7 1/8 mm). Written from London, Tavistock House, and dated Tuesday 18th May, 1858; minor toning. Matted and framed with an etching of Dickens; not examined out of frame. A letter from Dickens to William Boxall artist and museum director Dickens writes: "My Dear Boxall, You know that nothing but dire necessity would keep me away from your pleasant little dinner today. I could not possibly foresee the occasion of my absence, and I cannot possibly set it aside. If you knew how sorry I am, you would be half as sorry for me as I am for myself." Dickens had written to Boxall a week before, suggesting "Monday or Tuesday of next week" for a dinner party: “All your artist friends are flourishing. I dined with a dozen of them last Tuesday, and they all smelt horribly of oil and varnish”. Boxall—a member of the Royal Academy, and future director of the National Gallery—had attempted to paint a portrait of Dickens, but it was ultimately abandoned. According to William Powell Frith another member of the Royal Academy, Dickens said: "I sat a great deal, and the picture seemed to me to get worse and worse,—sometimes it was like Ben Caunt [a popular boxer of the day, who was widely regarded as remarkably unattractive], then a resemblance to Greenacre [a notorious murderer]. At last, by Jove, I found I was growing like it!— I thought it time to retire, and that picture will never be finished if it depends upon any more sittings from me."
Dickens, CharlesAutograph letter signed ("Charles Dickens") to William Boxall 18 May 1858, regarding a dinner engagement 1 page (to sight: 170 x 107 7 1/8 mm). Written from London, Tavistock House, and dated Tuesday 18th May, 1858; minor toning. Matted and framed with an etching of Dickens; not examined out of frame. A letter from Dickens to William Boxall artist and museum director Dickens writes: "My Dear Boxall, You know that nothing but dire necessity would keep me away from your pleasant little dinner today. I could not possibly foresee the occasion of my absence, and I cannot possibly set it aside. If you knew how sorry I am, you would be half as sorry for me as I am for myself." Dickens had written to Boxall a week before, suggesting "Monday or Tuesday of next week" for a dinner party: “All your artist friends are flourishing. I dined with a dozen of them last Tuesday, and they all smelt horribly of oil and varnish”. Boxall—a member of the Royal Academy, and future director of the National Gallery—had attempted to paint a portrait of Dickens, but it was ultimately abandoned. According to William Powell Frith another member of the Royal Academy, Dickens said: "I sat a great deal, and the picture seemed to me to get worse and worse,—sometimes it was like Ben Caunt [a popular boxer of the day, who was widely regarded as remarkably unattractive], then a resemblance to Greenacre [a notorious murderer]. At last, by Jove, I found I was growing like it!— I thought it time to retire, and that picture will never be finished if it depends upon any more sittings from me."
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert