Documents associated with: 3rd Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte della Città di Venezia,Venice 1899
Record 14 of 32
System Number: 07568
Date: [9/16 February 1899][1]
Author: JW
Place: [Paris]
Recipient: William Cleverley Alexander[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: British Museum, London
Call Number: Department of Prints and Drawings, 1958-2-8-31
Document Type: ALS[3]
My dear Alexander -
I am much gratified by your kind and most courteous letter -
Nothing could be more graceful than your consent to my request - and the pretty compliment that accompanies it -
I have [p. 2] at once written to the Mayor[4] and Council, in Venice, to inform them of your willingness to lend them the picture[5] - and doubtless you will at once hear from them in acknowledgement -
The Opening Ceremony - and the Kings[6] visit is fixed for the 22nd of April[7]! -
Now don't you think you might, on this occasion, announce, to the Dublin Directors, that you withdraw the picture from their Gallery by the 15th? - telling them also the very special reason and its importance -
Of course they must yield to your wish - both as a matter of recognition to you - and as a question of etiquette to the authorities in Venice -
Do try and manage this for me - I shall be so greatly obliged to you and the dear good Venetians will be so highly pleased!
[p. 3] Perhaps, as Mrs Alexander[8] is in Italy, you may all go on to Venice at the time of the Exhibition - and we may meet there! - Charming!
With kindest regards and a thousand thanks -
Always sincerely
[butterfly signature]
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [9/16 February 1899]
Dated by the references to exhibitions (see below).
2. William Cleverley Alexander
William Cleverly Alexander (1840-1916), banker and patron [more].
3. ALS
Written on mourning stationery.
4. Mayor
Comte Filippo Grimani (1850-1921), Mayor of Venice, President of the Internation Art Exhibition of the City of Venice [more].
5. picture
Harmony in Grey and Green: Miss Cicely Alexander (YMSM 129) was shown at A Loan Collection of Modern Paintings, Leinster Hall, Dublin, 1899, but although Alexander agreed to lend it to 3rd Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte della Città di Venezia,Venice, 1899 (see #07568) it did not appear in the catalogue.
6. Kings
Umberto I (1844-1900), King of Italy [more].
7. 22nd of April
Double underlined.
8. Mrs Alexander
Rachel Agnes Alexander (b. ca 1837, m. 1861), née Lucas, wife of W. C. Alexander [more].