| Description | Letter dated 7 January 1870 to Macdonald from Thomas Gray, 10 Howland Street, Fitzroy Square, London, regarding visit to G.F. Watts, meeting him coming home with a young lady, with description of both, brief description of house, 'He was very kindly & plain but somehow, I had a difficulty in getting on with him', description of some of his works in progress, including 'The Everlasting Hills', 'The Angel of Death', 'Ariadne', and 'Love barring the passage of Death', outline of Gray's discussion with Watts about what Macdonald wanted from him, Watts showing him a portrait of the Marquis of Lothian 'whose case he says must be much worse than yours … I had a difficulty in bringing him to the point in a business like way', he has given up portraiture, so must charge more for his other work, hopes that Macdonald might get a smaller sketch than the work he has seen for a smaller sum, advice to Macdonald on how to approach Watts, 'I think is one of that sort who doesn't like his work to go to those who won't appreciate it and might think that you are buying a 'name' … I don't feel quite satisfied with my visit … He said he liked vague subjects and was satisfied if they affected the spectator in a similar [way] to music'. |