| Description | Letter dated 20 March 1881 to Macdonald from George Reid, R.S.A., 7 Warwick Gardens, Kensington, London, regarding visit to the Millais exhibition 'one of the greatest treats I have had', names some of the earlier pictures 'pictures I used to read about when I was a boy', description of the technique in them, lunch with Millais afterwards, description and sketch of a Cinderella on which Millais is working, prospect of Disraeli sitting for him, Reid delighted that Millais will come and look at his work, flattering remarks to Colin Hunter and to Reid, with helpful hints, sketch of the beginnings of Disraeli's portrait, with description, visit to Pettie, and description of some of his current work, Sir W. Burnett of Crathes appears in one of his pictures, visit to Leighton's studio, and description and sketch of one of his works in progress, 'don't know what it is all about and didn't like to ask', Peter Graham is turning very grey, comment on Cameron's work and how he should avoid large canvasses, request to paint the portrait of 'Murray the Publisher', who has been calling on him, pressure to begin portraits of the Lord President and of Col. Farquharson of Invercauld, visit to the studio from the Duchess of Wellington to see painting of her late father, the Marquis of Tweeddale, 'She must have been a very fine looking woman at one time', accident to Nasmyth's hand, weariness with London and longing to be at Kepplestone, passing Macdonald's place in London [presumably a granite yard] with McLean the sculptor, who criticised much of the work. |