Documents associated with: 1st Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte della Città di Venezia, Venice, 1895
Record 3 of 12
System Number: 05932
Date: 12 June 1894
Author: Riccardo Selvatico[1]
Place: Venice
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler V21
Document Type: MsLS
[crest with lion of St Mark above scroll:] SINDACO DI VENEZIA
Venise,
le 12 Juin '94
Cher Monsieur,
Je vous ai envoyé deux fois, à Londres, l'invitation que voici[2]. La première fois, la poste l'a repoussée, faute d'adresse complète; la seconde fois, je l'avais recommandée [p. 2] à l'Académie Royale, mais elle nous est revenue avec la déclaration que vous étiez absent. Heureusement Monsieur Boldini[3], membre du Comité de patronage de notre Exposition, a eu la bonne idée, en insistant sur votre nom éminent, de me communiquer votre adresse actuelle.
[p. 3] Notre invitation aura donc enfin! - la chance de parvenir jusqu'à vous. Permettez-moi, Monsieur, d'espérer que vous voudrez bien répondre par votre adhésion, si vivement souhaitée. Vos tableaux représentent d'une manière si digne le côte émotionnel et suggestif de la peinture contemporaine, qu'en vérité, sans votre [p. 4] concours, il y aurait dans notre Exposition une lacune par trop regrettable.
Agréer, Monsieur, l'assurance de ma très-haute considération.
R. Selvatico
Maire de Venise
This document is protected by copyright.
Translation:
Dear Sir,
I have sent this invitation to you twice in London. The first time the post office returned it as incompletely addressed; the second time, I had sent it by registered post [p. 2] to the Royal Academy, but it was returned to us with the notification that you were absent. Fortunately Mr Boldini, a member of the Patronage Committee of our Exhibition, had the bright idea, whilst emphasising your prominent name, of sending me your current address.
[p. 3] So our invitation will - finally - have some chance of reaching you. Allow me, Sir, to hope that you would care to respond by your participation, so fervently wished for. Your paintings represent so fittingly the emotional and evocative sides of contemporary painting, that in truth, without your [p. 4] participation, there would be a most sorry lack in our Exhibition.
Accept, Sir, the assurance of my very high esteem.
R. Selvatico
Mayor of Venice
Notes:
1. Riccardo Selvatico
Riccardo Selvatico (1850-1901), poet and Mayor of Venice [more]. There is a draft version of this letter in Venice (#09499).
2. l'invitation que voici
An invitation to exhibit at the 1st Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte della Città di Venezia, Venice, 1895. JW had been initially contacted about the first Biennale exhibition on 15 February 1894 (#11097).
3. Monsieur Boldini
Giovanni Boldini (1845-1931), portrait painter and etcher [more].