Letter from Frances Hodgkins to Lucy Wertheim
Date
15 Apr 1930
See transcription
Catalogue number
FHL126
Date
15 Apr 1930
Transcript
St Jeannet Alpes Maritimes France April 15th 1930
My Dearest Luce
Ever so many thanks for papers & very kind letter. Papers have been greatly valued. Better not send more as I hope to be on the move pretty soon. I am finding the strain of paying Studio Rent rather overpowering – must get out of it – or live in it – double life is too expensive!
Well! What about your little gallery. Are they inclined to abate some of that huge premium: I hope they will – you must wangle your hardest – it is a wicked sum. This will reach you Easter Eve.
I see you have rather a full house! But you will enjoy that. I am in my usual plight – left high & dry with a useless cheque. They will insist on sending cheques which is sounder business but very awkward for me. I am badly wanting the case to settle up & get off. So please Dear Luce snatch at the nearest Notes you can & rush them off to me, in one envelope, as quickly after the Holidays as you can, Registered, but not under separate cover as I need it all & desperately at once. You can curse me to my face when we meet. Every soul I know but you is out of Town.
When I get back I’ll give you a Drawing – a ‘dreary’ one for Miss Lenny Smith but I refuse to encourage you to spend any of your cheque on me – keep it for your Gallery. You are much too generous to me and you have already bought 2 Drawings this year & paid well for them. I would be a pig to trade on your friendship and allow you to give me another penny – it is immensely sweet of you to offer.
I should be doing better & better later on. I am anxious to clinch a contract for my Paintings. I can’t live by Water Colours alone. Mr Howell seems well pleased. He should be. I am working hard enough, if that counts for anything. He says they are selling well. That’s a comfort. Exhausting work, finding fresh ideas in a bewildering world.
I need a change now. St Jeannet grows more lovely but so dazzling under a strong sun it taxes ones spirit. This is enough for the moment.
Summer time – but there’s snow quite close in the hills & there is the usual demon wind tuning up.
I am in the Hotel – or Pub – or Pet House – now having a so-called Rest. The 2 dear fat souls who run it are great characters & very good to me. But it isn’t refined.
A Happy Easter to you Luce Dear and love from Frances.
Enclosed cheque for £10 – I am not registering this letter – hope it will be alright.
My Dearest Luce
Ever so many thanks for papers & very kind letter. Papers have been greatly valued. Better not send more as I hope to be on the move pretty soon. I am finding the strain of paying Studio Rent rather overpowering – must get out of it – or live in it – double life is too expensive!
Well! What about your little gallery. Are they inclined to abate some of that huge premium: I hope they will – you must wangle your hardest – it is a wicked sum. This will reach you Easter Eve.
I see you have rather a full house! But you will enjoy that. I am in my usual plight – left high & dry with a useless cheque. They will insist on sending cheques which is sounder business but very awkward for me. I am badly wanting the case to settle up & get off. So please Dear Luce snatch at the nearest Notes you can & rush them off to me, in one envelope, as quickly after the Holidays as you can, Registered, but not under separate cover as I need it all & desperately at once. You can curse me to my face when we meet. Every soul I know but you is out of Town.
When I get back I’ll give you a Drawing – a ‘dreary’ one for Miss Lenny Smith but I refuse to encourage you to spend any of your cheque on me – keep it for your Gallery. You are much too generous to me and you have already bought 2 Drawings this year & paid well for them. I would be a pig to trade on your friendship and allow you to give me another penny – it is immensely sweet of you to offer.
I should be doing better & better later on. I am anxious to clinch a contract for my Paintings. I can’t live by Water Colours alone. Mr Howell seems well pleased. He should be. I am working hard enough, if that counts for anything. He says they are selling well. That’s a comfort. Exhausting work, finding fresh ideas in a bewildering world.
I need a change now. St Jeannet grows more lovely but so dazzling under a strong sun it taxes ones spirit. This is enough for the moment.
Summer time – but there’s snow quite close in the hills & there is the usual demon wind tuning up.
I am in the Hotel – or Pub – or Pet House – now having a so-called Rest. The 2 dear fat souls who run it are great characters & very good to me. But it isn’t refined.
A Happy Easter to you Luce Dear and love from Frances.
Enclosed cheque for £10 – I am not registering this letter – hope it will be alright.
Sender's address
St Jeannet - Alpes Maritimes France
Credit Line
E
H
McCormick
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