DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22422#0235
Letter XVII. MR. FORD'S COLLECTION.
223
COLLECTION OF RICHARD FORD, ESQ.
I had the good fortune to be personally acquainted with the
gifted and learned author of the incomparable ' Handbook of
Spain,' in whose hospitable house both mind and body are enter-
tained with food of the most original and savoury description.
Though Mr. Ford has parted with his well-known collection of
drawings by Parmigianino and Meldolla, and with the engravings
by or from those masters, he still retains an interesting and
valuable collection of pictures, drawings, miniatures, prints of the
Spanish, Italian, Netherlandish, and English schools ; and majolica
(Raphael-ware). The principal portion of the pictures, especially
those by Sir Joshua and Wilson, are his by inheritance ; the
rest, including the Spanish, he has collected. Nothing can de-
scribe the exceeding kindness with which this gentleman opened
all his treasures to my inspection. The following remarks include
only the best pictures—the Spanish pictures taking the lead, as is
only just in the house of so great a connoisseur in Spanish art
and manners.
Velasquez.—1. The portrait of Queen Maria, second wife of
Philip IV. of Spain, in black dress, with an enormously wide and
tasteless headdress of that time. Of excellent keeping in the
silvery tones, and broadly and spiritedly treated.
2. That of Isabella, his first wife.
3. That of the Conde Duque Olivares, his prime minister.
Zurbaran.—1. His own portrait in youthful years, delicately
drawn, and warmer and clearer in tone than his later pictures.
2. Portrait of a young lady, in red dress and rich jewels, of
masterly execution, in a luminous golden tone.
3. A Magdalen ; size of life, clad in complete mourning, and
very impressive.
Ribalta.—" Franciscus Ribalta, fecit, 1612."—This is the
inscription on the picture of a Christ bearing his Cross; whole-
length figure, the size of life, in dark violet robe. The forward
inclination of the body well expresses the weight of the cross.
The expression of patience in the noble features is very dig-
nified ; the hands are beautiful in form, and well drawn; the
colouring transparent. Originally from the convent of S. Catalina,
at Saragossa.
Murillo.—1. Two monks standing under a tree ; the one lay-
223
COLLECTION OF RICHARD FORD, ESQ.
I had the good fortune to be personally acquainted with the
gifted and learned author of the incomparable ' Handbook of
Spain,' in whose hospitable house both mind and body are enter-
tained with food of the most original and savoury description.
Though Mr. Ford has parted with his well-known collection of
drawings by Parmigianino and Meldolla, and with the engravings
by or from those masters, he still retains an interesting and
valuable collection of pictures, drawings, miniatures, prints of the
Spanish, Italian, Netherlandish, and English schools ; and majolica
(Raphael-ware). The principal portion of the pictures, especially
those by Sir Joshua and Wilson, are his by inheritance ; the
rest, including the Spanish, he has collected. Nothing can de-
scribe the exceeding kindness with which this gentleman opened
all his treasures to my inspection. The following remarks include
only the best pictures—the Spanish pictures taking the lead, as is
only just in the house of so great a connoisseur in Spanish art
and manners.
Velasquez.—1. The portrait of Queen Maria, second wife of
Philip IV. of Spain, in black dress, with an enormously wide and
tasteless headdress of that time. Of excellent keeping in the
silvery tones, and broadly and spiritedly treated.
2. That of Isabella, his first wife.
3. That of the Conde Duque Olivares, his prime minister.
Zurbaran.—1. His own portrait in youthful years, delicately
drawn, and warmer and clearer in tone than his later pictures.
2. Portrait of a young lady, in red dress and rich jewels, of
masterly execution, in a luminous golden tone.
3. A Magdalen ; size of life, clad in complete mourning, and
very impressive.
Ribalta.—" Franciscus Ribalta, fecit, 1612."—This is the
inscription on the picture of a Christ bearing his Cross; whole-
length figure, the size of life, in dark violet robe. The forward
inclination of the body well expresses the weight of the cross.
The expression of patience in the noble features is very dig-
nified ; the hands are beautiful in form, and well drawn; the
colouring transparent. Originally from the convent of S. Catalina,
at Saragossa.
Murillo.—1. Two monks standing under a tree ; the one lay-