Document associated with: Bradley (fl. 1898)
Record 1 of 1
System Number: 02313
Date: 23 May 1898
Author: Albert Ludovici[1]
Place: London
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler I53
Document Type: ALS
27. St. Augustines Road.
Camden Square
N. W.
23. May 1898.
My dear Whistler -
I have just returned from the Show[2], but too late to catch the post, and enclose you printed extracts, from the newspapers - which will give you a few samples of the papers; they have had this printed, and put about the place - I went straight to your pictures, and the portrait[3], looked very well, it had been tilted forward[,] they had put in longer screws, which had produced the desired effect, but the two heads - la petite souris[4] and the oval[5], were not tilted, and when I spoke to Howard[6] about it, he said that you had told him that they looked very well as they were. I think they would look or rather one would see them better if they were tilted forward, and as I have found the parcel of drawings and lithos by Forain[7], will go to Bradley's[8] tomorrow morning and ask him to send man to fetch them to be framed and at the same time, tilt [the] two pictures forward -
[p. 2] Howard is getting thinner and whiter, and he declared to me that he was quite done up, that the Dr had ordered him away so he leaves town tomorrow for a fortnight, there was no getting any thing out of him, he seemed dazed, I am afraid that he is not strong. the Company seem very well satisfied with the result of the entrances so far - which have been on an average of 160 or more a day and I feel even that the number will increase, as it gets known; it is comparatively very little advertised;
It would not be necessary to let Forain know that his drawings have not been put up yet, but I told Page[9] the Secretary to send a note around to the papers, to say that these fine drawings by Forain had arrived too late for the private view, but were now shown and were alone worth another visit. now would you care to have your two little drawings shown in the Forain group - as we shall probably have to erect a screen of some sort to show them[.] we could say that yours were also a late arrival and that would give the Show another fillip - of course I will not do anything, until I hear from you - Hoping your trip to London did not make you any worse
with kind regards to Mrs. & Miss Phi[lip][10] -
yours very Sincerely
A. Ludovici
[p. 3] I have no longer subscribed to Romeike's[11] so have not any cuttings of papers, or would send them to you - All those I have seen even the most conservative, and Speilman in Graphic[12] of last Saturday cannot refrain from saying what an advantage over the R. A we have got and how we have proved to them, what hanging pictures ought to be etc etc[13].
[p. 4, sketch of Miss Peck[14]]
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Albert Ludovici
Albert Ludovici, Jr (1852-1932), painter [more].
2. Show
The first Exhibition of International Art, International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, London, 1898, which had recently opened at the Prince's Rink, Knightsbridge. The press-cuttings referred to by Ludovici are untraced. One of them may have been Anon., 'The International Exhibition. Interview with Mr Whistler,' Pall Mall Gazette, 26 April`1898. See also #13170.
3. portrait
Brown and Gold (YMSM 440).
4. la petite souris
Grey and Silver: La Petite Souris (YMSM 502).
5. oval
Blue and Coral: The Little Blue Bonnet (YMSM 500).
6. Howard
Francis Howard (1874-1954), painter, art critic and collector [more].
7. Forain
Jean Louis Forain (1852-1931), painter and printmaker [more].
8. Bradley's
Bradley, possibly a picture framer.
9. Page
Horace W. Page, secretary for the ISSPG [more].
10. Mrs. & Miss Phi[lip]
Frances Philip (1824-1917), née Black, JW's mother-in-law [more]; and Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), JW's sister-in-law [more].
11. Romeike's
Henry Romeike, founder of the news agency [more].
12. Speilman in Graphic
Marion Henry Alexander Spielmann (1858-1948), journalist and writer on art [more]. The article referred to seems to have been Anon., 'Art Exhibitions,' Graphic, 21 May 1898, p. 627: 'If it were not for the excellence of the Exhibition of International Art which has been arranged at Knightsbridge, it might fairly be questioned whether there would be any chance of another important art show attracting sufficient attention in London to repay the work of organisation [...] In this latest show the evidence not only of good intention, but of thorough discretion as well is ample enought to excuse what looks like an invasion of ground already fully occupied.'
13. ought to be etc etc
'I have no longer subscribed ... ought to be etc etc' is written in the right-hand margin at right angles to the main text.
14. Miss Peck
Study for a portrait of Miss Marion Peck (M.1543).