Letter from Robert Bingham to Charles Ruland answering his questions as to which Raphael drawings he has photographed in Paris and explaining his delay in photographing the drawings at Lille.

In response to Ruland's enquiries (see VIC/ADDA10/85/235, and his second letter demanding a reply, see VIC/ADDA10/85/239), Bingham states that all the photographs he has sent (see the covering letter sending them, VIC/ADDA10/85/234) were of drawings in the Louvre or in the collection of Henry de Triqueti.

Those from the Louvre can be distinguished by the museum's stamp on them. He confirms that No. 11, 'Faith & Charity', is the complete drawing. He has asked M. Reiset about the three missing drawings mentioned by Ruland (La Madonna alla Gatta, the head of a man looking upwards and the Judgment of Paris); Reiset has not been able to find them but asks for the Passavant references and will look for them again. Bingham confirms that a drawings catalogue is being prepared at the Louvre, but this will not be ready for a very long time.

He asks Ruland to send him a list of the drawings belonging to Reiset, Gatteaux and Pescatore. Mme Pescatore is willing to allow any of her drawings to be photographed. Mr Poynter thinks that his drawing (La Vierge au Donataire) is in London; Bingham has not photographed any of Poynter's drawings. But he affirms that he has sent all the photographs Dr Becker ordered.

He goes on to explain that he was ready to go to Lille a month ago, but is still awaiting good enough weather to permit photography: it would have been impossible over the last winter. There is now a prospect of sunshine and he has sent off his materials with a view to starting this week, but as he has to work inside the museum, any bad weather will hold him up, unlike at the Louvre where the drawings can be taken outside onto a balcony.

Related Material: Transcript in RA Research Information.
For related correspondence see VIC/ADDA10/85/234, VIC/ADDA10/85/235 and VIC/ADDA10/85/239.