Julian Browning Rare Books & Manuscripts Archives

Autograph Letter Signed, to G.D.Tomlinson, about the art lessons appropriate for various pupils, describing the scope of the lessons and the fees.

Wyndham Lodge, Brixton Hill, 23 January 1865. A good letter: "We can no more follow Blondin on the tight ropes after witnessing his performance than anyone can dive down into the intentions of the Artist, unless he is prepared to give a definite reason for every line and every tint." William Collingwood Smith (1815-1887), watercolourist. Specialising in marine and river scenes, and sweeping landscapes, he turned out more than a thousand paintings and drawings. He travelled extensively in Britain and on the Continent, often painting scenes which had news interest. His images were often engraved and reproduced in the Illustrated London News. Shipping scenes he painted included HMS Dreadnought, which took part in the Battle of Trafalgar. His first exhibition at the Royal Academy was in 1836 and his last in 1855, also exhibiting with the Royal Watercolour Society and at the Suffolk Street Galleries.