A blog about art by an amateur art historian and sometime art collector. Mainly about portraiture, especially 17th century British portraits, my own collection but with other things thrown in: German & Austrian expressionism, post-impressionist French landscape and some British art of the early twentieth century.
Neil Stevenson's Art Blog 
Dear Sir,
I have just posted to eBay at letter signed by C.R. Leslie to The Honorable Mrs. Abbott Lawrence. The letter written in 1858 is historically interesting and comes with the mourning cover. A full description with all relevant scans can be found by pasting the ebay id code 371409197887 into the search bar.
Best regards,
Richard Benjamin
I’m hoping you will be able to tell me where I might be able to get a painting, that might be a John Michael Wright painting authenticated. I live in Southern California. Please contact me via email if you can help. Thank you.
Love your website. Can I use your material to illustrate an essay I am doing on the Fire Judges please….?
Of course. I have some other material on the paintings which I’m afraid I haven’t
got round to writing up. Good luck with the essay.
Hi Neil – You have two photos on your website of the London Guildhall Art Gallery circa 1930. I am wondering if you cab tell me where the photos are from / who might have the copyright? I am doing research for a documentary and finding it hard to source images. Many thanks, Annie
The best source was “The History of the Guildhall Art Gallery” published in 1999 by the Guildhall Art Gallery (see front cover and page 30) which cites the source as “Guildhall Library, Prints and Maps Collection”. The other printed source was “The Works of Art of the Corporation of London: A catalogue of paintings, watercolours, drawings, prints and sculpture” Vivien Knight, published 1986 by Woodhead-Faulkner. p16, cites collection Guildhall Library Print Room. So although should be out of copyright, Guildhall Library looks like your best bet. Good luck with the documentary.
I am currently researching a painting by Sir James Lawton Wingate that I have been told is of Arran subject. I was interested to read of your reference to Mackenzie McBride’s biography of Arran that is illustrated with plates from paintings by Wingate. Do you have access to this reference? I very much hope you will be able to help.
I have a copy of the book. I’ve just added the illustrations to a new blog entry.
Clare Winsten (1894-1989): “Chanctonbury Ring” was exhibited at the 4th Annual Exhibition of Welwyn Garden City Art Club, held 24 September-20 October 1927, price £35, and at the Goupil Winter Salon, December 1934-January 1935, price £50.
I am researching the Winstens’ relationship with Bernard Shaw and the resulting art works.
Hi Neil. Have recently bought a small impressionist oil which I think is an early 20th view of Arran from near Ardrossan…but not sure of this, nor who the artist is…after some help. Would you be willing to assist? If so, please email me and I will send image. Thanks. Robert