Volume 1

The Farington diary / edited by James Greig.

  • Joseph Farington
Date:
[1922?-1928]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Farington diary / edited by James Greig. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    *794 Royal Academy Canvassing January 9.—Edwards [A.R.A.] told me Mr. Shipley, who founded the Drawing School in the Strand, where several artists of reputation received their first instruction, is still living, and is about 84 years of age. He is Brother to the late Bishop of St. Asaph, and was a Portrait Painter. January 10.—Marchant [A.R.A., gem sculptor] came to tea and staid the evening with me alone. He speaks highly of some designs made lately by Lady Spencer. He was at Althorpe at Christmas. January 12.—In consequence of “ not eligible by age” being put against the name of Lawrence in the Associate list, tie went last night to Mr. West, and pointed out to him that “ 25 years of age ” in the first resolution of the institution is limited to admission, and not to election, therefore He cannot be excluded by it, as He will be 25 years of age in April next, which is long before the Diplomas can be granted. Mr. West admitted the distinction and gave him a letter to Mr. Richards, who is to send about new lists. Walton [a guest at the Chaplain’s table, St. James’s Palace] says Lord Lansdowne has £30,000 a year ; Lord Wycombe is very deaf : excells in conversation. January 13.—I called on Opie, who told me was just returned from Woodmason [the publisher], who proposes to give an Exhibition of his Pictures painted of subjects in Shakespeare, That he meant to limit the number of Subscribers to 500, and that all the impressions after that number were taken of should be the property of the subscriber. Himself having no claim upon them—and that it was his intention to give the greatest number of the remaining subjects to Northcote and Opie. He has 26 pictures already painted, and proposes to have in all about 70. January 15.—Acct. of Sir Sidney Smiths arrival with dispatches from Lord Hood with acct. of the evacuation of Toulon. Notwithstand¬ ing the extent of the destruction caused by Lord Hood, Sail of the Line, and the great Arsenal, the public seem to be less gratified than one would expect. The loss of the place, though held at great expence, and of no specific advantage to this country, supersedes other considerations.