拍品专文
Tom Taylor, dramatist, editor of Punch (1874-80) and ubiquitous man of letters, was an early champion of Millais' work and wrote the lines of mock medieval English verse which appeared in the catalogue when his picture A Dream of the Past: Sir Isumbrus at the Ford (Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight) was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1857. Taylor married Laura, third daughter of the Rev. Thomas Baker, vicar of Thirkleby in Yorkshire, on 19 June 1855, and their son John Wycliffe was born on 24 April 1859.
This portrait, the result of a pledge by Millais that he would paint Taylor's son in return for 'many an act of friendly kindness', was begun not long before the boy's fifth birthday on 24 April 1864. Millais' mother died on 22 April, and this caused some delay, although writing to his father-in-law on 26 April, Taylor could already report that the portrait 'promises to be wonderfully like, and is most pleasing.' The picture was eventually finished in the autumn, and Taylor recorded his delight with it in a letter to Millais written on 27 December. 'My dear Millais', he wrote, 'I cannot allow the day to pass without thanking you for your beautiful portrait of our boy. It is an exquisite picture of a child, and a perfect likeness. Both his mother and myself feel that you have given us a quite inimitable treasure, which, long years hence, will enable us to recall what our boy was at the age when childhood is loveliest and finest. Should we lose him - which Heaven avert - the picture will be more precious still.
It seems to us the sweetest picture of a child even you have painted. If you would like to have it exhibited, I need not say it is at your service for the purpose.
With renewed thanks, and all the best wishes of the season for you and yours.
Believe me, ever gratefully yours,
Tom Taylor.
P.S.- I send you my Christmas gift in return, however inadequate. The ... Ballad Book, which owes so much to your pencil.'
We are grateful to Dr. Malcolm Warner for his help in preparing this and the previous entry.
This portrait, the result of a pledge by Millais that he would paint Taylor's son in return for 'many an act of friendly kindness', was begun not long before the boy's fifth birthday on 24 April 1864. Millais' mother died on 22 April, and this caused some delay, although writing to his father-in-law on 26 April, Taylor could already report that the portrait 'promises to be wonderfully like, and is most pleasing.' The picture was eventually finished in the autumn, and Taylor recorded his delight with it in a letter to Millais written on 27 December. 'My dear Millais', he wrote, 'I cannot allow the day to pass without thanking you for your beautiful portrait of our boy. It is an exquisite picture of a child, and a perfect likeness. Both his mother and myself feel that you have given us a quite inimitable treasure, which, long years hence, will enable us to recall what our boy was at the age when childhood is loveliest and finest. Should we lose him - which Heaven avert - the picture will be more precious still.
It seems to us the sweetest picture of a child even you have painted. If you would like to have it exhibited, I need not say it is at your service for the purpose.
With renewed thanks, and all the best wishes of the season for you and yours.
Believe me, ever gratefully yours,
Tom Taylor.
P.S.- I send you my Christmas gift in return, however inadequate. The ... Ballad Book, which owes so much to your pencil.'
We are grateful to Dr. Malcolm Warner for his help in preparing this and the previous entry.