Documents associated with: 1st exhibition, Grafton Galleries, London, 1893
Record 6 of 7
System Number: 05028
Date: 17 May 1893
Author: Francis Gerard Prange[1]
Place: [London]
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler P668
Document Type: ALS
17 May 1893
[crest with crown and rose:] THE REFORM CLUB
My dear Whistler,
One letter had passed between myself & Mr Sheridan Ford[2]. He sent me some articles from Galignani[3] and asked for a catalogue of the late Exhibition[4] which I sent him, as was right & proper.
Now first as regards the Grafton Gallery per se. Nobody in Paris has any connection with, or status in the Grafton Gallery. [p. 2] No man has any right - or any pretext for saying that he represents me or my Directors in any way[.] I have refused to be thus represented & I think wisely refused.
Now as regards the Portrait Society[5]: If any being represents the Society, you are that being and neither with Mr Ford or any human creature in Paris have I exchanged [p. 3] a letter or a word on the subject.
Pray contradict any body who asserts that he is in any way entitled, or authorised to speak for me either in my capacity of Manager of the Grafton Galleries or of the Portrait Society.
I know you to be a punctilious man & unlikely to speak lightly - else I should have questioned the possibility of any person saying that his word weighed one ounce with my Directors, or myself.
I am
yrs always
F G Prange
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Francis Gerard Prange
Francis Gerard Prange (b. ca 1843), London art dealer [more].
2. Mr Sheridan Ford
Sheridan Ford (1860-1922), poet, critic, politician and writer on art [more].
3. Galignani
Ford had written articles for Galignani's Messenger.
4. Exhibition
1st exhibition, Grafton Galleries, London, 1893.
5. Portrait Society
The Society of Portrait Painters; JW had been asked to join the committee.