The Prince Consort, I believe, first conceived the idea of decorating spaces on the walls of the Victoria and Albert Museum with frescoes, as a memorial of the nation's gratitude on the close of the Crimean War, and mentioned the subject to Leighton. It was not, however, till 1868 that Sir Henry Cole approached him officially on the subject in the following letter:—
July 14, 1868.
Sir,—The Lords of the Committee of Council on Education having had under their consideration the subject of the permanent decoration of the lunettes at the ends of the South Court of the South Kensington Museum, have directed me to inquire if it would be agreeable to you to undertake to execute a picture for one of these lunettes, for which lunette their Lordships would be prepared to authorise a payment of £1000, it being understood that all rights of copying the work belong to the Department.
When the court is completed, there will be four lunettes of a similar size. At the present time, however, there are only two spaces actually ready; and should you be willing to accept the commission now offered to you, your picture would be placed in one of these two finished lunettes. Mr. Watts, R.A., has been asked to execute a similar commission for the second lunette; and, in order that the works may have a certain symmetry in respect of the scale of the figures, &c., it would be desirable that you should place yourself into communication with him.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Henry Cole.
STUDY FOR GROUP IN "THE ARTS OF PEACE,"
Victoria and Albert Museum. 1873
Leighton House Collection[ToList]
