UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

System Number: 05937
Date: 6 February 1896
Author: Filippo Grimani^[1]
Place: Venice
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler V26
Document Type: ALS

[coat of arms of city of Venice:] SINDACO DI VENEZIA

Venise,

le 6 février 1896.

Cher Maître,

Ainsi que j'ai eu l'honneur de vous communiquer, le Conseil Municipal de Venise, dans sa séance du 11 Janvier, a voté des remerciments [sic] aux artistes qui ont contribué au brillant succès de notre première Exposition internationale^[2].

Parmi ces artistes vous êtes sans doute l'un des plus renommés; et c'est justement en vue des grands services que vous nous avez rendus, que le Comité organisateur de la deuxième Exposition (22 Avril - 31 Octobre 1897) en joignant ses remercîments les plus vifs à ceux du Conseil Municipal de la Ville, vous prie, à voix unanimes, de vouloir bien prêter votre nom illustre au Comité de Patronage^[3] de notre prochaine entreprise artistique - (pour l'Amérique). -

Je ne vous cache pas mon sincère espoir que vous voudrez bien nous [p. 2] accorder votre appui sympathique; et comme il nous tarde de communiquer la bonne nouvelle à la presse italienne et étrangère, j'ose vous prier de nous faire parvenir aussitôt que possible votre précieuse adhésion, car nous y comptons bien cordialement.

Veuillez agréer, cher Maître, l'assurance de notre haute et reconnaissante considération.

Le Maire de Venice
Président de la 2me Exposition int. des beaux-arts.

F Grimani

Le Secrétaire général.

Prof. A. Fradeletto^[4]

[p. 1] Monsieur^[5]
James Mac Neill Whistler
Paris

This document is protected by copyright.

Translation:

Dear Master,

I have been given the honour of communicating with you, as the Municipal Counsel of Venice, in its meeting on January 11th, gave a vote of thanks to the artists who contributed to the dazzling success of our first International Exhibition.

Amongst these artists you are without a doubt one of the most renowned; and it is precisely in view of the great services rendered to us by you, that the Organising Committee of the second Exhibition (22nd April – 31st October 1897) in joining its most heartfelt thanks to those of the Municipal Council of the town, begs you, unanimously, to be so kind as to lend your illustrious name to the Patronage Committee of our next artistic enterprise – (for America).-

I do not conceal from you my sincere hope that you shall be willing to accord us your kind support; and as we are eager to pass on the good news to the Italian and foreign Press, I dare to ask you to send us word of your invaluable support as soon as possible, for we are most cordially counting on it.

Please accept, dear Master, the assurance of our high esteem and appreciation.
The Mayor of Venice
President of the 2nd International Exhibition of Fine Arts
F. Grimani
The General Secretary.
Prof. A. Fradeletto

Mr
James Mac Neill Whistler
Paris

Notes:

1.  Filippo Grimani
Comte Filippo Grimani (1850-1921), Mayor of Venice, President of the Internation Art Exhibition of the City of Venice [more].

2.  Exposition internationale
1st Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte della Città di Venezia, Venice, 1895.

3.  Comité de Patronage
JW was too concerned with the failing health of his wife to get involved in the Committee of the 2nd Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte della Città di Venezia,Venice, 1897.

4.  Prof. A. Fradeletto
Antonio Fradeletto (1858-1930), literary historian, art critic and writer, radical politician, and general secretary of the Venice Biennale [more].

5.  Monsieur
Written at the bottom of p. 1.