This relatively early drawing was given to Charles Howell in late 1869 as a gift for “help in the manuscript of his poems from his wife's grave” (see Surtees 185). DGR told Howell in a letter of 16 August 1869 that “If I recover the book I will give you the swellest drawing conceivable, or if you like paint the portrait of Kitty [Howell's wife]” (see
Fredeman, Correspondence, 69. 126
). Since DGR was already doing a
chalk portrait of Howell's wife, Howell took this early drawing.
This collection contains 5 texts and images, including:
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (1855)
Scholarly Commentary
Introduction
This relatively early drawing was given to Charles Howell in late 1869 as a gift for “help in the manuscript of his poems from his wife's grave” (see Surtees 185). DGR told Howell in a letter of 16 August 1869 that “If I recover the book I will give you the swellest drawing conceivable, or if you like paint the portrait of Kitty [Howell's wife]” (see Fredeman, Correspondence, 69. 126 ). Since DGR was already doing a chalk portrait of Howell's wife, Howell took this early drawing.
See also the commentary for the Birmingham pencil self-portrait.