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| "The Opening of Waterloo Bridge" by John Constable |
"My Dear Fisher, The Frenchman who was after my last picture of 'The Hay Cart' last year is here again. He would, I believe, have both that and 'The Bridge,' if he could get them at his own price... His object is to make a show of them at Paris, perhaps to my advantage..."
"My Dear Constable, Let your 'Hay Cart' go to Paris, by all means. I would, I think, let it go at less than its price for the sake of the éclat it may give you. The stupid English public, which has no judgment of its own, will begin to think there is something in you if the French make your works national property. You have long lain under a mistake: men do not purchase pictures because they admire them, but because others covet them..."
"Dear Fisher, My Frenchman has sent his agent with the money for the pictures. They are now ready, and look uncommonly well, and I think they cannot fail to melt the stony hearts of the French painters. Think of the lovely valleys and peaceful farmhouses of Suffolk forming part of an exhibition to amuse the gay Parisians..."
My Dear Constable, Your last letter is evidently written in a tone of great exultation, and with reason. Your fame and fortune are both advanced; and for both you are indebted but to Providence and your own exertions... The purchase of your two great landscapes for Paris is surely a stride up three or four steps of the ladder of popularity. English boobies, who dare not trust their own eyes, will discover your merits when they find you admired at Paris. We now must go there for a week..."
To his wife: "Had a letter from Paris. Mr. Arrowsmith informed me of the safe arrival of my pictures, and how much they were admired... Collins called. He says I am a great man at Paris, that it is curious they speak there of only three English artists, namely Wilkie, Lawrence, and Constable. This sounds very grand."
To be continued
(Excerpts from "Life and Letters of John Constable, R.A." by Charles Robert Leslie.)
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