HCR, 30 Russell Square, London, to Dawson Turner, [Yarmouth], 3 March 1849. 

30 Russell Square

Lond:

3d March 1849

My dear Sir

      I am in doubt whether I was able when I last saw you to tell you more than in the most general terms of what I had been doing in order to save the remains of our great friend Flaxman from dispersion, by collecting the contents of his studio & having them repaired & placed suitably in the Univ: Hall College – The Council have gone to the very outside ^utmost extent^ of what they could with propriety in preparing the building for the reception of the casts – I introduced this matter to the council – And I undertook to commence the raising of a fund, which the College has not, for preparing the casts & fixing them – The cost will I fear exceed greatly the Sum originally designed, in consequence of Miss Denman, offering now to extend her gift beyond what she originally designed ^intended^ – And unless the Amount be about doubled what we have yet procured, I fear the collection must be left incomplete The Honorary Secretaries will soon make a formal application to Sir Robt Peel, & other patrons of fine art – And in that character they would probably have applied to you, but I undertook to write to the Members of our Council And to the few old friends of Flaxman among ^whom^ I recollect you And therefore I take the liberty of addressing this letter to you, in that character – This is the first time in my life (just at the close of it) that I have ventured to set on foot any undertaking of general interest. And that only because I knew no one willing to undertake the <–> trouble

      Poor Mr Tulk, an older friend of Flaxman than myself th was too indisposed And died suddenly before remitting to me the Subscription he would certainly have sent – We sustained a similar loss from the sudden death of the Earl Auckland –

       I cannot myself recollect a single friend of Fl: now surviving to whom I could apply who I think would be desirous or willing to have his name recorded among the originators of this intended gallery –

       I beg my Comps to Mrs Turner if the state of her health allows of her retaining a recollection of one she has seen so little of as myself

                   I am faithfully yours

                                  H.C. Robinson

Dawson Turner Esqr

P.S. I have read with interest your introduction to the late publication of Sir Isaac Newton’s letters – With how many great names will your’s be connected in the future generations!!!

[enclosed, printed sheet:]

PROOF

Flaxman Gallery.

COMMITTEE.

[With power to add.]

The Earl of Auckland, G.C.B.                             C. L. Eastlake, Esq., R.A.

Lord Brougham.                                                   Dr. Gosling, D.C.L.

The Baron de Goldsmid.                                     John Heywood Hawkins, Esq.

The Solicitor-General, M.P.                     Henry Crabb Robinson, Esq.

                                                             [handwritten note: ‘The Treasurer’]   

The Hon. Richard Denman.                               C.A. Tulk, Esq.

Samuel Rogers, Esq.                                           William Wyon, Esq., R.A.

I. Ivatt Briscoe, Esq.                                            Charles Atkinson, Esq. |

C.R. Cockerell, Esq., R.A.                                   Edwin W. Field, Esq. |

Richard Cook, Esq. R.A.                                        Honorary secretaries

  On the death of Mr. Flaxman, the works in his studio became the property of his Executrix, Sister-in-law, and adopted daughter, Miss Maria Denman, who, being affectionately devoted to his fame, and regarding herself as entrusted with these precious relics for the public, has preserved them with an anxious wish that they should be placed where they deserved to be. Such a situation she has found in University College, London, and to that College she has presented them as a free gift.

       They are the casts in plaster from the original models in clay which exist no longer, and some of them since they were cast have been touched and retouched by the great Sculptor. Altogether they are in number about 140, and include many of his noblest productions, consisting of statues and groups of figures, and alti and bassi rilievi.

       The council of the College accepted them at once readily and gladly, proposing to assign to them the Hall under the Dome, and two adjacent Vestibules, together with a Staircase that will soon be constructed.

       But another expense must be incurred for which the College has no fund. They require the process of cleaning and repairing, and properly affixing in their places, a process that will cost several [handwritten note in margin: at least $500 H.C.R.] hundred pounds. But on this subject there can be no apprehension. The name of Flaxman is reverenced throughout Europe, and his countrymen will not suffer them to perish.

  Subscriptions will be received by Messrs. Herries, Farquharson, and Co. [continues handwritten: ‘or the Treasurer. Should the Treasurer be favoured with any Cheque he requests that it may be crossed payable to Messrs. Herries –’]

[verso: HCR’s handwritten list:]

Subscriptions

Two friends of Flaxman $50                             Wyon Esq. R.A. 5.5

([etc… needs completing]

E. Strutt £10

HCR £10

Field £10

Masquerier £5

Romilly £5

Mylne £5

Hutton £5

Brougham £5

No address page or endorsement.

Text: Turner Papers, O.14.46/54 (1849), Trinity College, Cambridge University.