Documents associated with: Winter Exhibition, Society of British Artists, London, 1885-1886
Record 2 of 14
System Number: 13771
Date: [September/October 1885?][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: Jacques-Emile Blanche[2]
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Bibliothèque de l'Institut de France, Paris
Call Number: 6282/III/191
Document Type: ALS
Mon cher Blanche,
du jour en jour je pensais vous voir venir - selon vôtre [sic] promesse - Maintenant je suppose que votre visite à Londres ne se fera pas -
Ainsi je vous écris pour vous dire que si vous voulez nous envoyez [sic] quelque chose pour notre prochaine exposition, il [p. 2] faudrait que nous ayons votre toile pour le 3 Novembre dans la gallerie même -
Vous avez ainsi le temps - mais vous bien [sic] de vous en occuper de suite -
A votre place je n'enverrais de très grande toile - car on prefère les tableaux de chevalet - mais si vous me permettez de vous indiquer un peu une choix, je prendrais la tête de cette petite blonde enfant[3] qui m'a tant plu dans votre atelier à Dieppe -
C'est bien charmant de couleur, et les tons clairs le feront bien voir malgré notre brume d'hiver.
Si vous expediez votre caisse directement à
Messrs Dowdeswell[4] & Sons
133. New Bond Street -
London -
Ils ont [sic] auront soin, et vous enverront à l'Exposition -
C'est bien gentil de votre part de vous être occupé du petit livre de cuisine, - [p. 3] il me tarde de le voir! - j'en ai déja beaucoup parlé -
Present my compliments to Mons. le Docteur[5] and Madame Blanche[6] and say how pleased I am to have received their kind remembrances.
Always sincerely
J. McN Whistler
454 Fulham Road. -
Duret[7] vient d'arriver Il me donnera de vos nouvelles.
This document is protected by copyright.
Translation:
My dear Blanche
from day to day I thought I would see you come - according to your promise - Now I suppose that your visit to London will not happen -
So I am writing to say that if you wish to send us something for our next exhibition, we must have your canvas in the gallery for 3 November -
Thus you have time - but you [will have to] attend to this immediately -
In your position I should not send a large canvas - as they prefer easel paintings - but if you will allow me to suggest something, I should take the head of that little fair-haired girl which I so much liked in your studio in Dieppe -
The colours are charming, and the light tones will allow it to be seen despite our winter fog.
You should send your box directly to
Messrs Dowdeswell & Sons
133. New Bond Street -
London -
They will look after it for you and will send it to the Exhibition for you
It is very kind of you to have looked out for the cookery book, - which I long to see! - I have already spoken a lot about it -
[...]
Duret has just arrived. He will give me your news
Notes:
1. [September/October 1885?]
Dated from address and reference to a visit to Blanche, which took place on a trip to Dieppe in the summer of 1885.
2. Jacques-Emile Blanche
Jacques Émile Blanche (1861-1942), portrait painter, art critic and writer [more]. Blanche's reply is #00305.
3. cette petite blonde enfant
Not identified; JW is referring to the forthcoming exhibition, Winter Exhibition, Society of British Artists, London, 1885-1886.
4. Dowdeswell
Charles William Dowdeswell (1832-1915), art dealer [more].
5. Mons. le Docteur
Not identified.
6. Madame Blanche
Wife of J. E. Blanche.
7. Duret
Théodore Duret (1838-1927), art critic and collector [more].