[CHAPTER IX.]
ROYAL ACADEMY, "BRACEBRIDGE HALL," ETC.
The "opinions of the press" on Washington Irving's Old Christmas, which Mr. J. D. Cooper, the wood engraver, is depicted reading to the artist with so much glee, were all that could be desired; and they fully justified the second venture (Bracebridge Hall), on which Caldecott was already engaged.
In February he was "painting a frieze for Mr. Pennington's drawing room" at Broome Hall, Holmwood, Sussex; and, later on, was "carving panels for a chimneypiece."
In this year, 1876, Caldecott exhibited his first painting in the Royal Academy, entitled, "There were Three Ravens sat on a Tree." The humour and vigour of the composition are well indicated in the sketch. It was hung rather out of sight, above (and in somewhat grim proximity with) a picture of "At Death's Door," by Hubert Herkomer. Both artists were then thirty years of age.
"There were Three Ravens sat on a Tree."
(Oil Painting) Royal Academy, 1876.
Cat. No. 415. 49 × 32.
In the same room (Gallery V.) were collected that year, the works of painters whose names are familiar—W. B. Richmond, A. Gow, H. R. Robertson, E. H. Fahey, W. W. Ouless, Val C. Prinsep, Henry Moore, and others.