Although the fact that G. F. Watts was apparently at work on a similar subject might suggest he was this more obliging painter, Hunt's manner of introducing his own prior claim leads me to conclude that he was not. Had Watts and Hunt both been approached by the same gallery owner, I suspect Hunt would have mentioned him by name and not kept the details purposely vague. Moreover, Hunt's friendship with Watts, as well as his statements about the other painter's integrity and highmindedness, convince me he would never have accused Watts of being "obliging" enough to paint such a "claptrap conception."
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Last modified December 2001