The Victorian Visitors

Download or read book The Victorian Visitors written by Rupert Christiansen and published by Grove Press. This book was released on 2002-08-20 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the nineteenth century, London was a city of big money, large audiences, and creative dynamism. In The Victorian Visitors, Rupert Christiansen lucidly captures the city to which visitors went in search of the artistic fervor, fame, and wealth that only London could offer. The great French painter Theodore Gericault escaped to London after a disappointing reception in Paris to show his painting, Raft of the "Medusa." The high pitch and hustle of London life influenced the fecundity and variety of several of his paintings, including Derby d'Epsom. Composer Richard Wagner went for the first time in search of money, but was disappointed to find the audiences indiscriminating, the musicians poorly trained, and the weather depressing. Writing to his friend Liszt in a frenzy of despair, he said, "I live here like a damned soul in hell." Then there was the demon Australian bowler, Frederick Spofforth, who changed the course of English cricket.