| Description | Letter to Alexander Macdonald of Kepplestone from Jozef Israels, Amsterdam, thanking him for his letter, reminded of his visit to Aberdeen, 'Your physiognomies, houses and all around are well printed in my memory', pleasant memories of discussing art in the garden after dinner, some news of a kettle and a child which may be metaphorical or may refer to the subject of a painting, he has begun a painting for Macdonald and another for John Forbes White, hopes that it will be with Macdonald by May, compliments to various friends, 'George Read [Reid] seems me to be an artistic soul how to realise it in deeds he will find it out himself by and by', 'Just as you write me, winter and war are the great distresses of mankind', 9 January 1871 |