Joseph Severn Letters

Scope and Content

Letters to and papers of Joseph Severn (1793-1879), painter, as follows: 

  • (a) numbers 1-11, letters to Joseph Severn from Charles Eastlake, RA, concerning Severn's cartoon for a fresco for the Upper Waiting Hall at Westminster, 1845-7;
  • (b) numbers 12-14, drafts of Severn's letters respecting this cartoon, 1846;
  • (c) number 15, draft (43 folios) by Severn of his First and Third Lectures to be given to the Royal Institute of British Architects on fresco painting, 1842.

Acquisition Information

Purchased by the John Rylands Library at auction at Christie's on 22 April 1959 (Lot 186).