Documents associated with: 7th Summer Exhibition, Grosvenor Gallery, London, 1883
Record 3 of 7
System Number: 00493
Date: [2/16 May 1883][1]
Author: JW
Place: [Paris]
Recipient: John Edward Courtenay Bodley[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler B276
Document Type: ALS
This line expressing surprise and general amazement at not hearing from you at all, my dear Bodelino, as Waldo[3] calls you, is written from his rooms in Paris[4]! - don't you wish you were here with us instead of freezing in Town -
Mon cher I have half a mind to send you the menus of two or three of our breakfasts just to make your mouth water! -
But what does it all mean? Why [p. 2] no response to my invitation? -
You know that you are to breakfast with me on Sunday next as ever is -
The opening breakfast of the Season - "small & amazing" - as usual -
There is no use answering here - because I return directly - but let me find a note in Tite Street to say Yes -
You must come - so dont attempt any thing else -
Waldo and his wife[5] are of course simply charming - You will see them in London soon - Meanwhile do point out to the blind that Waldo['s] lovely little bronze dancing girl and his beautiful bas relief[6], are exquisite beyond discussion and the only works of real Art among the sculptured commonplaces of the Grosvenor Gallery -
Of course if you choose to assert that 'our James' is the whirl and the fashion in Paris where his works [are] delighted in - Why I can't prevent you! -
A bientôt!
[butterfly signature]
I gave your love to Mrs Moore[7] -
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [2/16 May 1883]
Dated by references to exhibitions (see below).
2. John Edward Courtenay Bodley
John Edward Courtenay Bodley (1853-1925), lawyer [more]. Also referred to by the mock Italian diminutive form 'Bodelino'.
3. Waldo
Thomas Waldo Story (1854-1915), sculptor [more]; see JW's letter to him, #08151.
4. Paris
JW had works on exhibition in the 101st exhibition, Ouvrages de peinture, sculpture, architecture, gravure et lithographie des artistes vivants, Palais des Champs Elysées, Paris, 1883.
5. wife
Ada Maud Story (1856-1932), née Broadwood [more].
6. bronze dancing girl and his beautiful bas relief
Story showed two sculptural works at the 7th Summer Exhibition, Grosvenor Gallery, London, 1883 (cat. nos. 377, 378): W. Story, Bellerophon(z337), a bas relief, and W. Story, Crotalistria(z338), a bronze statuette.
7. Mrs Moore
Not identified.