Documents associated with: 1st exhibition, Grafton Galleries, London, 1893
Record 7 of 7
System Number: 09316
Date: [1894/1895][1]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: Octave Maus[2]
Place: [Brussels?]
Repository: Archives de l'Art Contemporain en Belgique, Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, Bruxelles
Call Number: Fonds Vander Linden, archives Octave Maus, 6978
Document Type: ALSc
110 Rue du Bac - Paris -
My dear Maus -
I owe you my apologies - and I must rely upon your amiability -
The fact is I have been and am still desperately busy - and when I am at work I fear I neglect all the more important duties of life - and so even charming and flattering invitations like your own remain unanswered -
In this case however it was impossible for me to accept - for I have [p. 2] nothing this year ready to send to the Libre Esthetique[3] -
Even the lithographs I couldn't well have managed. The proofs you saw at the Grafton[4] were the only ones I had disposable & framed -
As to the pictures I could neither borrow any of the old ones - nor am I sure that at present I want any of my past work to be exhibited at this moment -
So you must first forgive me - and make my compliments to the gentlemen of the Committee[5], and write and see me when you next pass through Paris -
with kindest regards
Very sincerely
J. McN. Whistler.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. 1894/1895
Dated by reference to the Libre Esthetique, which was founded in 1894.
2. Octave Maus
Octave Maus (1856-1919), advocate, writer and art critic [more]. This letter must not be published in any form without the prior written consent of the owner.
3. Libre Esthetique
A progressive journal edited by Maus.
4. Grafton
JW had exhibited work with 1st exhibition, Grafton Galleries, London, 1893.
5. Committee
Possibly the selection committee for Les XX, or for an international exhibition. JW did send works to Exposition Universelle des Beaux-Arts, Antwerp, 1894.