Document associated with: British Exhibition of Old Masters, British Institution, London, 1859
Record 1 of 1
System Number: 08050
Date: [29 June 1859][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: Henri Fantin-Latour[2]
Place: Paris
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC 1/33/31
Document Type: ALS
Mon cher petit Fantin -
il faut que nul idée, théorie ou autre absurdité t'empeche de venir ici de suite - Du reste je t'en prie laisse toi conduire pour une fois. sois un petit peu influencé par ma bonne étoile - tu sais que je t'assurais toujours que quelque chose allait tourner - eh bien c'est l'Angleterre mon cher qui s'avance avec les deux mains tendues aux jeunes artistes. Maintenan[t] surtout ne reste pas a reflechir et a être incertain - n'en demandes pas conseil à tes amis ou à ta famille - pas plus que tu ne ferais pour la peinture mais prends ta resolution par les cheveux et fiches le camp de Paris! Car au bout du conte, tu ne fais rien la bas - et une semaine d'absence si ce n'etait que ça ne peut que te faire du bien. - Viens voir l'exposition[3] - les Gainsborough[4] et nos anciens amours - viens voir ce que comme tu peut gagner beaucoup plus ici en un mois, (n'en dis rien) que tu ne gagnerais là dans un an! - Apportes toutes tes petites exquises - rien de grand. Apportes pour moi ce que te donneras Delatre[5] et viens de suite. - C'est inutile de te dire combien mon beau frere[6] sera heureux que tu lui fasse cette visite et qu'il puisse te montrer tous les chefs d'oeuvres[7] dont il est si fier avec raison a un qui les appreciera - et mon cher tu es sur de vendre un tas de choses (petites) et cela au moins te fera ne rien perdre par ce voyage -. encore une fois - ne parles pas - ne demandes pas - ne fais pas de preparations inutiles - et viens nous voir et retrouver ton ancien ami
Jemmie Whistler
This document is protected by copyright.
Translation:
My dear little Fantin
you must not let any idea, theory or other absurdity prevent you from coming here immediately - Besides I beg you let yourself be led for once, be a little guided by my good star - you know that I have always told you that something would change - well, it is England mon cher which welcomes young artists with both hands. Now above all do not pause to reflect or doubt - do not ask for advice from your friends or family - any more than you would for your painting but take your courage in both hands and get away from Paris! Because after all you are doing nothing there - and a week away even if that is all it was can do you nothing but good. - Come and see the exhibition - the Gainsboroughs and our old loves - come and see how you can earn much more here in one month (don't say a word) than you would there in a year! - Bring all your small sketches - nothing large. Bring the things that Delatre will give you for me and come at once. - It is unnecessary to tell you how happy my brother-in-law will be that you can visit him and that he can show you all the masterpieces which he is so rightly proud of to someone who will appreciate them - and mon cher you are sure to sell heaps of things (small ones) and that will at least ensure you lose nothing by this journey - once again - no discussion - no questions - no unnecessary preparations - and come and see us and find your old friend
Jemmie Whistler
Notes:
1. 29 June 1859
Written on a blank page left in Haden's letter to Fantin of 29 June 1859 (#08049), and presumably written the same day.
2. Henri Fantin-Latour
Ignace-Henri-Jean-Théodore Fantin-Latour (1836-1904), artist [more].
3. l'exposition
British Exhibition of Old Masters held at the British Institution, in June 1859 (see 'The Old Masters - British Institution', The Times, 6 June 1859, p. 10).
4. Gainsborough
Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788), painter [more]. The exhibition included 42 paintings by Gainsborough, both landscapes and portraits, including T. Gainsborough, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (z77) lent by Earl Spencer (cat. no. 149).
5. Delatre
Auguste Delâtre (1822-1907), printer [more]. Haden was asking Fantin to bring a parcel from Delâtre; see Haden's letter to Fantin of 29 June (#08049). The following passage, 'C'est inutile...Whistler' is cross-written.
6. beau frere
Francis Seymour Haden (1818-1910), surgeon and etcher, JW's brother-in-law [more].
7. chefs d'oeuvres
Haden owned an exceptional collection of prints by Rembrandt and other old masters, and by contemporaries, including JW. He also commissioned works from Fantin and Legros.