RUSKIN

(John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed to Colonel Robertson

saying that he is glad to hear of your safe arrival in England; and as sincerely wish that I could be of any use to you, but I have long given up all discussions upon matters of art – there is only one way to get a good thing done; go to Munro, Woolner, Marochetti, or any other good sculptor you like, and let him do the thing entirely in his own way. All bye[sic] opinions are useless: mine, just now especially so, for my head is full of quite different matters, (so far as it is full of anything). I have been put into a state of enduring and intense disgust by the way the Prussians and English have been behaving these three years back; (Prussia backing Austria and England standing behind her counter, whistling, with her hands in her pockets) - which has left me neither head, nor heart for any of my old work; in fact I was made thoroughly ill by the peace of Villafranca and am now only coming a little round again - but what I am doing - or should do, will be very different from any of my old business. I hear very good speaking of Mr H. S. Leifchild, 111 Stanhope Sq. Mornington Crest. I suspect he would be able both to advise and do, in this business of yours...., 3 sides 8vo., no place, no date, circa

Item Date: 1860

£1,750

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Background

Henry Stormonth LEIFCHILD (1823-1884) was a British sculptor known for his classical-style works, including the Robertson mausoleum in Warriston Cemetery, Edinburgh. He also created the Guards' memorial at Chelsea Hospital and various busts and groups, often featuring biblical or mythological figures.The Peace of Villafranca concluded by Napoleon III of France and Franz Joseph I of Austria on July 11th 1859 and set the stage for the end of the Second Italian War of Independence. Ruskin had published two letters on 'the Italian Question' in The Scotsman in July 1859 and had deplored the refusal of the British and Prussian governments to support the unification of Italy. The recipient of this letter was likely a member of the Shakespeare Memorial Committee formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1860. They invited English sculptors to submit designs for a monument and appointed John Ruskin, Thomas Carlyle and William Mulready as the selection committee. Ultimately, the committee elected to memorialise Shakespeare by endowing a scholarship at the University of Melbourne.

Stock No. 43423

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