Landscape with a Cow by Water
This oil painting was purchased by Merton Russell-Cotes at the Christie’s auction of Irving’s possessions in 1905. It was given to Irving by the American artist and actor, Joseph Jefferson. Merton wrote about it in his autobiography, Home and Abroad:
‘On the 8th May, 1905, it being my birthday. Sir Henry invited my wife and me to take tea with him at his flat in Stratton Street, and he took this occasion to present me with a charming miniature and autograph of himself as a souvenir. In a corner of his dining-room I had noticed on several occasions a small landscape, which I was under the impression was a ‘Corot.’ I expressed my delight with it, whereupon Sir Henry smiled and said, “No, my dear friend, it is not a ‘Corot,’ it was painted by my dear old friend Joseph Jefferson, and presented to me by him.” I observed it required cleaning very badly, but Sir Henry emphatically declared that he would not allow it to be touched by anyone for the world. I replied, “Would you not allow me to clean it?” “Oh,” he said, “but do you understand it?” I said, “I will undertake to do it for you and you will be delighted with the result.” An hour or two after we had left, Mr. Walter Collinson came round to the hotel where we were staying in Dover Street with the picture. I asked him to procure me some varnish and brushes, and I at once set to work and cleaned and varnished the picture. The following morning Walter came and took it back to Sir Henry. Shortly afterwards he returned with the following letter: —
Stratton Street,
London, W.
My dear Mr. Russell-Cotes, 9th May, 1905.
A thousand thanks. You have worked wonders. I scarcely know my dear old friend’s picture again. It is more charming than ever. I shall now link your name and dear old Jefferson’s together in my mind when admiring what he accomplished.
With warmest greetings and heartiest thanks, and my kind love to your dear wife.
Believe me to be,
Your sincere friend,
Henry Irving.
This picture now occupies an honoured place in the ‘Irving’ Museum, and is a priceless relic of my dear old friend Sir Henry.’
