Orpen Pleading with Sargent
25
June, 1907
Sir
William Orpen (1878-1931) Irish painter
Private
(sale at Sothebys)
Pen
and black ink on writing paper
22.5
x 17.5cm. ( 8¾ x 7in.)
signed
and dated 25 June 1907
Jpg:
Sothebys
An Illustrated
Letter to Mrs. St. George. The drawing being the last page of a letter.
Orpen, in a
humerous way, writes about some commission pending. Unlike Sothebys account
of the latter below, I think this was all of tongue-in-cheek and shows
Orpen's admiration for the elder Sargent and clearly draws himself as being
under the influence of the Master.
From: Sothebys:
This lot suggests the competition
amongst artistic peers for both public recognition and private commissions
- Orpen draws himself here dwarfed by the supremely confident and commanding
figure of John Singer Sargent."
The letter is headed: 8 Bolton Gardens
South S.W. and reads:
Dear Mrs. St George - This
is really/ the final thing!! are you testing/ me to the uttermost? It is/
worse than the trial Abraham/ was put to - and I fear no/ angel will stop
my mouth,/ or hand, when I speak to Sargent/ and the calm way you wrote/
it !! May you be forgiven./ I will find out from Sargent/ tomorrow if possible
- e'en/ though it kills me to do it./ Will you let him paint the painting/
or will you do it yourself?/ Ive had a great dinner at Nicholson's with
the Baroness/ and Max. Everybody talked/ hard till 4. she is a most/ wonderful
creature - and I/ am deeply in love - she/ is coming to tea tomorrow..
isn't woppy doing well?/ Beals Wright was beaten/ by Wilding in the championships/
yesterday - However I don't/ expect he cares much - the weather here/ is
terrible rain wind & cold. and all/ that sort of thing. Remember me
to Poppy/ Yours very sincerely William Orpen
(Sothebys
)
Notes:
Sold at Sothebys; Sale L02950, Lot
110; 4,041,913 British Pounds; Session 1; 16 May 2002
|
