DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61291#0030
i8
GAINSBOROUGH
of the dispute is very differently told by the
partisans of Gainsborough and those of the
Academicians. The picture was painted to
occupy a certain position at Carlton House, the
residence of the Prince of Wales, and the artist
was anxious that it should appear at the exhibi-
tion under similar conditions of height and light.
To meet his wishes, one of the rules of the
Society would have had to be set aside, and
it was decided that no exception could be
made even in the case of the work of so
distinguished a master. The group was hung
on the full-length line, and Gainsborough was
so annoyed at the destruction of the effect he
had aimed at, that, in spite of his hatred of
writing, he for once took up the pen in his own
behalf, and sent the following appeal to the
Committee:
“ He begs pardon,” he says, “ for giving them
so much trouble, but he has painted the picture
of the Princesses in so tender a light that, not-
withstanding he approves very much of the
established line for strong effects, he cannot
possibly consent to have it placed higher than
eight feet and a half, because the likeness and
work of the picture will not be seen any higher ,
therefore, at a word, he will not trouble the
GAINSBOROUGH
of the dispute is very differently told by the
partisans of Gainsborough and those of the
Academicians. The picture was painted to
occupy a certain position at Carlton House, the
residence of the Prince of Wales, and the artist
was anxious that it should appear at the exhibi-
tion under similar conditions of height and light.
To meet his wishes, one of the rules of the
Society would have had to be set aside, and
it was decided that no exception could be
made even in the case of the work of so
distinguished a master. The group was hung
on the full-length line, and Gainsborough was
so annoyed at the destruction of the effect he
had aimed at, that, in spite of his hatred of
writing, he for once took up the pen in his own
behalf, and sent the following appeal to the
Committee:
“ He begs pardon,” he says, “ for giving them
so much trouble, but he has painted the picture
of the Princesses in so tender a light that, not-
withstanding he approves very much of the
established line for strong effects, he cannot
possibly consent to have it placed higher than
eight feet and a half, because the likeness and
work of the picture will not be seen any higher ,
therefore, at a word, he will not trouble the