Extracts from letters in the Royal Academy Library
between Richard Westall R.A. and Thomas Lawrence P.R.A.
and other correspondence.

Reproduced with permission and thanks for assistance to Archivist Mark Pomeroy at the Library.

*Diaries of Joseph Farington March 30, 1820 :”Business of the evening to elect a President only:-
Sir Thomas Lawrence 21
Flaxman 1
Jackson 1
After the Election I returned to Sir Thos. Lawrence’s with Dance, Smirke & Thomson. Westall had preceded us.

South Crescent,
July 12th 1827

My dear Lawrence
Late last night it was finally arranged that Fanny’s** Benefit should take place this day week. The obstacle which stood in the way till then was the determination of Galli not to sing on that night unless for his own benefit; he has at length settled the point.

**Fanny Ayton- relative of Richard Westall, possibly a grand niece. Opera singer and actress. RW exhibited a portrait?portraits of her at the RA in 1827 (479) and 1828 (523).

….Fanny is undoubtedly a perfect mistress of her art, but it would be far better that her knowledge that she is so, should be kept from the public eye

….I will undoubtedly communicate the substance of your remarks to her; and I wish to have your permission to make an extract from your letter to show her because I am sure that your opinions cannot be conveyed in so forcible a way if anything is altered. I will of course take care she shall have no idea of the author.

In July we (John Ayton*** and R.W.) went to Eastbourne to visit some kind friends there…on Sunday August 23rd soon after the Ladies had retired from the dining room, he lit a cigar and walked upon the Beach; to my lasting grief I did not accompany him. In a few minutes (news) reached us that a Gentleman had fallen down in a fit, and the pang with which I received this intelligence told me but too truly who was the victim. I was with him instantly; and the first sight of his face deprived me of all hope. He never opened his eyes after the fatal blow was struck; and never utter’d but one word, which was my name: and notwithstanding the most the most immediate, and I trust skilful, medical assistance, to my unutterable affliction, he expired at one oClock on the following morning. I could not bear that his remains should rest so great a distance from me; and I therefore purchased a vault under the new Church of St. Pancras in which he was buried on the first of this month; and by his side is a vacant space which my body will occupy when it shall please God to call me from this world. I am afflicted for you my dear and early friend, who about the same time were suffering the great loss which you so feelingly and so eloquently describe. I hope however that the dread bereavement will not weigh so heavily upon you as it does upon me: your profession gathers round you in quick succession, and that is beautiful, and all that is great and interesting, in our country: but mine is a life of entire seclusion; my sole companion is cold in the grave; and the solitude of my once cheerful home is fearful to me. True it is, that I have many and most kind friends left, among whom there is none whose good opinion does me more honor (sic), or whose regard I value more highly than yours: but the friendship of John Ayton was always present, it was like the air I breathed, above, below and round me; and cannot be replaced. I cannot help noticing the striking coincidence which there is in many parts of your life and mine. Both in our infancy placed in circumstances of great obscurity by the misfortunes of our parents; both through the medium of the same beautiful art enabled to force ourselves with distinction, and to become the protectors of our families; both about the same periods, forming friendships of the most strong and disinterested nature, and both about the same moment deprived of the inestimable blessings……

May God bless you my dear Lawrence and long preserve you a happiness to your friends, and an ornament to your country. I am always

Most faithfully
Yours R. Westall

***John Ayton – relative of RW, possibly a cousin. He purchased a number of RW’s pictures and was his close companion for many years. RW exhibited a portrait of him at the RA in 1806 (84)

The Library also has a letter AND/20/52 written in 1827 by Richard Westall to an unknown person:

I yesterday wrote to my friend Sir John Carr# to express my regret that a particular engagement will prevent my having the pleasure of seeing him and you at Dinner on Monday, and to beg him to write to you to say that it will give me great pleasure to see you on Sunday next at half after five, if that day is agreeable to you both: and if it is not to request him to support another early day when I shall be glad to talk with you respecting the Drawing which you honor me by wishing to have.
I am Sir, with great esteem

Your very obedient svt
R. Westall

# Sir John Carr – author of “The Stranger in Ireland; or, a Tour in the Southern and Western Parts of that Country” (Pub. 1806) and other travel books. Probably a relative by marriage to RW.

AND/21/141 is a copy of a letter sent from Russell Place on April 4th 1831 to Lynch Cotton – in reply to a circular

I was I believe, for I really am not certain, elected an Academician in July 1794, but if you have ascertained the date of the late Sir Thos Lawrence’s election that will settle the question for we were both elected on the same day.

JU/4/145 is a letter from Richard Westall to Hurst & Robinson, publishers

Gentlemen
Messrs Hurst & Robinson have in their Gallery in Pall Mall eleven pictures which belong to me. I wish the Pictures to be returned to me as soon as possible and I beg that you will do me the favor of informing me when it will be convenient to you that I should send for them.

JU/8/241 has a letter dated Aug 15, 1807 from Joseph Kay in Bedford St, related by marriage to William Porden, the architect

I have just returned with Eleanor from Mr Westall, who has finished her portrait this morning. I think he has been particularly successful in the likeness and in the general expression of character. I could not help feeling that altho’ the figure is delineated in a position of rest – there is an expression of eagerness that bespeaks at once the natural activity of liveliness of the disposition.

Note. This is likely to be about the portrait of Miss Porden exhibited at the RA in 1808 (187) and owned by W. Porden in 1814 at RW’s exhibition.