Pre-Raphaelitism and the pre-Raphaelite brotherhood . the full responsibilities of life, he must have theopportunity of repose away from sight of his work, thathe may not miss refreshment of mind and body. Brownhad always been most studious, industrious, and frugal,and had produced many noble works of which the countrymust eventually be proud; yet here he was in his last yearssuffering in mind as though he had been a profitless neer-do-well. A {qw of his friends met together and agreed toraise a subscription to purchase some of his works withouthis knowledge, and the contributions had accumula
Pre-Raphaelitism and the pre-Raphaelite brotherhood . the full responsibilities of life, he must have theopportunity of repose away from sight of his work, thathe may not miss refreshment of mind and body. Brownhad always been most studious, industrious, and frugal,and had produced many noble works of which the countrymust eventually be proud; yet here he was in his last yearssuffering in mind as though he had been a profitless neer-do-well. A {qw of his friends met together and agreed toraise a subscription to purchase some of his works withouthis knowledge, and the contributions had accumulatedalthough without public appeal to a sum handsomelycovering his liabilities. Unfortunately, just as all wasprepared for approaching him, a newspaper stated the factin its gossip column, which Brown saw. He was inflamedto great anger, and went off to Frederick Shields, whowas acting as secretary to the fund, and expressed hisindignation at the insult that had been done him ; hedenounced it as an attempt to impose charity upon him New rAzj^^^i STOR,. S. ^ * I XIV PRE-RAPHAELITE BROTHERHOOD 385 and left the house in hot temper. Shields discreetly-kept silence and trusted to time to appease the artistsruffled feelings. Within a week Brown communicated tohim that he was sorry for his outbreak of displeasure,that he now recognised all had been done in thoughtfulkindness, and hoped his friends would not think himso ungrateful as he allowed himself to appear at possessor of the- picture of Christ washing theDisciples Feet, who had offered it at Christies a fewmonths before, and had bought it in at £So, consented totake for it a portion of the sum in hand, and the Councilof the National Gallery expressed themselves pleased toreceive this tardily appreciated and yet truly noble it has been hung in the Gallery the work has evergrown in reputation. The painters strength was nowfast failing, he took up his daily work each morning, butincreasing weakness interrupte
Size: 1404px × 1779px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisherlondonmacmillancol
