Documents associated with: 73rd Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, 1899
Record 2 of 5
System Number: 00727
Date: 8 January 1899
Author: John James Cowan[1]
Place: Murrayfield
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler C228
Document Type: ALS
8th January 1899
WESTER LEA
MURRAYFIELD
N. B.
Dear Mr Whistler,
Many thanks to you for sending me the Chelsea Nocturne[2] and the charming head[3], which turned up safely just in time for New Year's Day.
Will you let me know exactly what I am to pay you for these two pictures, and what you would like me to send [p. 2] you to account thereof?
I shall be very glad to get the portrait by & bye & to settle for the whole amount.
I have had to decline the invitation from Monsr Diaghilev[4] to send the Piano Picture[5] to St Petersburg, for I had already promised it to the Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition [p. 3] which opens here next month. I hope this meets with your approval and that you are not disappointed at my inability to send it to Russia?
Mrs Cowan[6] & I with two of our daughters start for Rome next month. I hope I may have the pleasure of shaking hands with you in Paris towards [p. 4] the end of March.
Hoping you are well & with our best wishes
I am
Your's very truly
J. J. Cowan
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. John James Cowan
John James Cowan (1846-1936), paper manufacturer and collector [more].
2. Chelsea Nocturne
Nocturne: Grey and Gold - Chelsea Snow (YMSM 174).
3. head
Brown and Gold: Lillie 'In our Alley!' (YMSM 464). See JW's receipt for both pictures, 8 February 1899, #00729.
4. Monsr Diaghilev
Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev (1872-1929), choreographer and ballet impresario [more], who was curating the 1st World of Art Exhibition, St Petersburg, 1899.
5. Piano Picture
At the Piano (YMSM 24). Cowan purchased it from Alexander Reid (1854-1936), Glasgow dealer [more], in March 1897 (see J. J. Cowan to JW, #00722). It was exhibited at the 73rd Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, 1899 (cat. no. 143).
6. Mrs Cowan
Sophy Cowan (b. ca 1850), née Gillespie, wife of J. J. Cowan [more]