Sketches from Italian paintings, by Fairfax Murray

An image of Book of sketches from Italian paintings. Fairfax Murray, Charles (British, 1849-1919). Vellum bound sketchbook containing ff, and one front end paper, height, sheet size, 249 mm, width, sheet size, 186 mm, 1873-1875. Notes: Murray was in Siena in early May 1873, having delayed his visit to Rome due to ill health. He had been commissioned by Ruskin to make copies after Botticelli's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, intending them to be put at the disposal of the Arundel Society, but in the event he made his first copies in Siena, where Ruskin instructed him to 'make what you can of the Peace' and the 'pretty virtues' in Ambrogio Lorenzetti's 'Allegory of Good Government' in the Palazzo Pubblico (1338-1341) (quoted exh. cat., 1993, p. 100). In answer to a letter from Murray asking for more specific instructions, Ruskin wrote, 'I can only say - do any face that strikes you - In this composition I care more for completeness of record, than for accurate copying. There is nothing in it that I esteem exquisite as painting: but all is invaluable as design and emotion. Do it as thoroughly as you can, pleasantly to yourself. For me - the Justice and Concord are importantest' (ALS, Morgan MA 2150/17; quoted exh. cat., 1993, p. 100). For Ruskin's account of Lorenzetti's particular interpretation of the three theological virutes, see 'The Political Economy of Art', 1857, Cook and Wedderburn, 'Works...', 1903-12, XVI, 54. A finished copy after Lorenzetti's fresco (bodycolour, 396 x 940 mm) is in the Ruskin Galleries, Bembridge School, Bembridge, Isle of Wight (Bem. 375; exh. 1993, no. 187). Inscription(s): Front cover; MS label; Charles Fairfax Murray / (1849-1919) / Book of Sketches from Italian Paintings. / Bequeathed by J.R. Holliday, Aug. 1927. Folio 1 recto, top; brown ink; Charles Fairfax Murray.

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Book of sketches from Italian paintings. Fairfax Murray, Charles (British, 1849-1919). Vellum bound sketchbook containing ff, and one front end paper, height, sheet size, 249 mm, width, sheet size, 186 mm, 1873-1875. Notes: Murray was in Siena in early May 1873, having delayed his visit to Rome due to ill health. He had been commissioned by Ruskin to make copies after Botticelli's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, intending them to be put at the disposal of the Arundel Society, but in the event he made his first copies in Siena, where Ruskin instructed him to 'make what you can of the Peace' and the 'pretty virtues' in Ambrogio Lorenzetti's 'Allegory of Good Government' in the Palazzo Pubblico (1338-1341) (quoted exh. cat., 1993, p. 100). In answer to a letter from Murray asking for more specific instructions, Ruskin wrote, 'I can only say - do any face that strikes you - In this composition I care more for completeness of record, than for accurate copying. There is nothing in it that I esteem exquisite as painting: but all is invaluable as design and emotion. Do it as thoroughly as you can, pleasantly to yourself. For me - the Justice and Concord are importantest' (ALS, Morgan MA 2150/17; quoted exh. cat., 1993, p. 100). For Ruskin's account of Lorenzetti's particular interpretation of the three theological virutes, see 'The Political Economy of Art', 1857, Cook and Wedderburn, 'Works...', 1903-12, XVI, 54. A finished copy after Lorenzetti's fresco (bodycolour, 396 x 940 mm) is in the Ruskin Galleries, Bembridge School, Bembridge, Isle of Wight (Bem. 375; exh. 1993, no. 187). Inscription(s): Front cover; MS label; Charles Fairfax Murray / (1849-1919) / Book of Sketches from Italian Paintings. / Bequeathed by J.R. Holliday, Aug. 1927. Folio 1 recto, top; brown ink; Charles Fairfax Murray.

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Accession Number: 1402
Photograph copyright © The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
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Fnumber: 19/1

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