| Description | Perhaps the most interesting letters among the correspondence of the Lords de Tabley are the artists letters. Sir John Fleming Leicester who became the first Baron de Tabley in 1826, was an enthusiastic patron of the arts, who displayed exceedingly good taste and discernment, and spared neither time nor money in building up the British school of painting. The letters are preserved relating to the foundation of the Manchester Art Institute, which was accomplished largely at the expense of Sir John, and to which he devoted a considerable amount of time. There are also two files containing his correspondence with artists, from whom he purchased works for his gallery and men such as William Carey, who assisted him in bringing his collection before the notice of the public, who were allowed to view it at Hill Street. The names represented in these letters include Sir William Beechey, Turner, Northcote, Haydon, Lawrence and Leslie. Note also a tribute to Sir John's aims and interests, more personal in tone than those mentioned above, which G. and E. Burne Jones wrote to Lady Leighton Warren. Dating from 1882-1897, these letters, numbering over 400, are preserved in four bound volumes. |