M. Faraday ALS to Artist C. Eastlake Re: Conservation Efforts at the National Gallery, A Fascinating Controversy in Victorian Art History!

A 1p autograph letter signed by British chemist Michael Faraday (1791-1867), as "M Faraday" at lower right. Written at the Royal Institution of Great Britain in London, England, on May 20, 1850 on a leaf of watermarked stationery paper tipped into a larger cream-colored mount. Expected minor paper folds, some weathering, and an isolated water stain not affecting the legibility of the text. Scattered pencil inscriptions from a former collector, else very good to near fine. The actual size of the leaf is 4.125" x 6.5" while the overall size of the mount is 4.675" x 7."

Michael Faraday wrote this letter to Charles Lock Eastlake (1793-1865), an accomplished British painter, art historian, and translator. Eastlake served as the president of the National Gallery between 1850-1865. Established in 1824 and housed in buildings facing Trafalgar Square since the 1830s, the National Gallery was one of Britain's premier public art museums. Its collections, comprised of over 2,000 paintings, included outstanding examples of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present.

Faraday, Eastlake, and another British artist, William S. Russell, served on the Select Committee of 1850, a 3-person government commission tasked with investigating standards of collections care at the National Gallery. This remarkable letter is thus written by one commissioner (Faraday) to another commissioner (Eastlake) and mentions the last commissioner (Russell) in the opening line.

In full, with original spelling and punctuation:

"Royal Institution
20 May 1850

My dear Sir

By Mr Russells desire I send on this report to you for any alteration you may think needful. He says further that if you will bring it with you to the meeting tomorrow at the National Gallery we may then probably be able to finish it

Ever Truly Yours

M Faraday

C. Eastlake Esqr. RA

+c +c +c."

Faraday, Eastlake, and Russell's investigation was the direct result of an 1846 controversy revolving around the precise role of the National Gallery. The British public, enchanted by the relatively new concept of an art museum free and open to all, wanted to guarantee that artwork was properly maintained, but what should this care consist of? How should its collections be cleaned, restored, and conserved, if at all? Restoration could range from the more unobtrusive--washing and gentle varnishing--to the more rigorous removal of layers of aging varnish, old touch ups, and particulate matter from the surface of the paintings. Were former or current curators guilty of neglecting the national treasures in their custodianship? Faraday was qualified to offer his scientific viewpoint as a chemist, while Eastlake and Russell provided an art historical perspective.

Faraday and the other commissioners concluded that there was no evidence of past malfeasance in the National Gallery. The commissioners did determine that windows frequently left open in the gallery spaces allowed smoke, dust, and other debris to settle on the pictures. They also offered such common sensical recommendations as protecting delicate painting surfaces under glass. The 1850 report thus anticipated a movement towards the scientifically-driven collections care policies that museums hold as a touchstone today.

Russell's prediction that the three commissioners would soon complete their report was absolutely justified. Their findings, entitled "Report of the Commission appointed to inquire into the state of the Pictures in the National Gallery," was formally submitted just four days later, on May 24, 1850.

This letter reminds us that, in addition to theorizing and proving the existence of numerous foundational ideas relating to electricity and magnetism, Michael Faraday also applied his knowledge of chemistry to practical matters. Faraday was long associated with the Royal Institution. He maintained a flat, study, and laboratory there, and conducted many of his most important experiments there. At the Royal Institution, Faraday had attended lectures as a student; served as a Chemical Assistant after 1813; was appointed a Director of Laboratory after 1825; and accepted the position of Fullerian Professor of Chemistry after 1833.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!