19th Century Letters from Bishop of Salisbury to John Constable on Sale
- Letters from John Fisher, Bishop of Salisbury, to artist John Constable will be auctioned on September 18 at Chiswick Auctions in London.
- The correspondence highlights their close friendship and Fisher's role as a patron, including commissioning a famous painting of Salisbury Cathedral.
- The auction presents a unique opportunity to acquire historically significant items that reflect the cultural connections of the 19th century.
Letters written by John Fisher, the Bishop of Salisbury from 1803 until his death in 1825, to the renowned artist John Constable are set to be auctioned at Chiswick Auctions in London on September 18. These letters highlight the close friendship and patronage that Fisher extended to Constable, including the commission of the iconic 1823 painting of Salisbury Cathedral. The correspondence was recently discovered in a loft, forming part of an archive belonging to a descendant of Fisher. The letters are expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000, reflecting their historical significance. The relationship between the Fisher and Constable families was so profound that much of Constable's biographical work by Charles Robert Leslie was based on their correspondence. Fisher, an amateur artist himself, played a significant role in Constable's life, even presiding over his wedding. In addition to the letters, the auction will feature other items such as a handwritten Fisher family tree, etchings by Constable's son, and family diaries. Notably, the painting commissioned by Fisher is currently displayed at the Victoria & Albert Museum, showcasing the lasting impact of their friendship on the art world. The sale not only offers a glimpse into the personal relationship between a bishop and an artist but also underscores the cultural connections of the 19th century. This auction presents a unique opportunity for collectors and historians to acquire pieces that reflect the intertwined lives of these two influential figures.