BENJAMIN HAYDON BEGGING FOR WORK AS HE IS FALLING INTO DEBT HAYDON (Benjamin Robert, 1786-1846, Historical Painter)

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Revd Dr Hook' (Walter Farquhar HOOK, 1798-1875, known as 'Dr Hook', eminent Churchman and Dean of Chicester) saying that "owing to the Times my Commissions have slipped away and I am actually now (in an interval) without order of any description. My Print of the Duke can't be out for me to collect my balance - & now I shall get into Debt. This is always the way with me. The Duke & Copenhagen I sent to the Bristol Gallery, I have just toned and completed it. I assure you - you will be pleased. What do you advise me to do? I am ready to do anything for reward, except a fat Lord Mayor ... a Col of Yeomanry with a prancing horse, or a family piece, but for comedy, history, pastoral - pastoral, comical, historical, pastoral - tragical - historical - tragical - comical, historical, pastoral, scene and visible or Canvas unlimited - I am your Man ...", 3 sides 8vo., London, 3rd June

Haydon struggled with his finances for most of his life. His difficulties increased to such an extent that, whilst employed on his last grand effort, Alfred and the Trial by Jury, overcome by debts of over £3,000, disappointment, and ingratitude, he wrote "Stretch me no longer on this rough world," and attempted suicide by shooting himself. The bullet failed to kill him, and he finished the task by cutting his throat. He left a widow and three surviving children, who were generously supported by Haydon's friends, including Sir Robert Peel, the Count d'Orsay, Thomas Talfourd, and Lord Carlisle.
He did a large Oil of the Duke of Wellington in 1839.


Item Date:  1841

Stock No:  41276      £175

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