Description

Description: This friendly April 9, 1840 letter is written and signed by Irish politician Daniel O’Connell. He writes cheerily to a friend about “young Mr. Elmore” who has a favor to ask. O’Connell writes in part: “My friend young Mr. Elmore has painted for me ‘The Martyrdom’ of St. Thomas a Becket’ a subject of the deepest interest in every point of view — He has a favor to ask of you on this subject to which he tells me is quite consistent with the [???] of duty – If so – I will deem it a great favor to myself personally if you have goodness to grant it…”

Daniel O’Connell (1775-1847) served as a Member of Parliament for Clare (1828-1830) and for Dublin City (1837-1841). He is remembered for mobilizing Catholic Ireland and securing the final installment of Catholic emancipation in 1829. O’Connell commissioned the Irish artist Alfred Elmore (1815-1881) to paint The Martyrdom of St. Thomas à Becket for St. Andrews Church in Dublin.

Alfred Elmore is known for his religious and genre scene paintings.

Letter is matted and framed with a portrait engraving of Daniel O’Connell to: 13″ x 15 1/2″. Item #A01673

Condition: Mailing fold lines, light soil left margin, otherwise very good condition with a neat, bold signature. Portrait has scattered foxing at upper edge. Not examined out of frame.