Letter from Frances Hodgkins to Jane Saunders
Date
04 Jan 1944
See transcription
Catalogue number
FHL407
Date
04 Jan 1944
Transcript
Studio Corfe Castle Dorset Jan 4th 1944
My dearest Jane
I am so badly equipped for writing letters – failing eyesight, empty ink pot, a threatening cold – but here goes. I have kept you waiting long enough for a reply to your urgent, ardent, wholly delightful letters, both yours & E’s – they warm the cockles of my heart. Of course you can keep “Roots” Jane. I am glad you like it I think it is rather a pet. I give it to you for Christmas 1943, with my love. I know you will use greatest discretion & not let it get about that the Artist gave it to you. My dealers might have something to say about that. My prices have risen and are still rising unfortunately for me & my Bank a/c I have not been able to fully benefit by this happy state of affairs owing largely to health & nerves & lack of comfort etc etc. The major root of all our present ills is of course the war & the war climax so close at hand & menacing. I fall into a regular vertigo of fear & horror when I allow myself to dwell on what is happening out there in the black void. Let us keep to the point which deals with pictures not battle fields. Will you tell E. (I am afraid I haven’t left time to write to her) that if she really wishes to possess the Abandoned Cottage I will accept £5.5 for it & please not to tell friends how much she paid for it. I have had to give up selling privately and no longer am on Contract as I find it less of a tie selling on commission. Also the galleries prefer it. I am hoping 1944 will see me in better shape & form – good production years – etc – ahead. I find budgeting & house work & all the lesser evils of housekeeping alone – the very d----l.
I think you & E have got a small section of the cream of my work, such as it is. They are vintage pieces – 1943. I am happy to leave them with you. Be Happy. Lots of good, all good, things for 1944 to you both.
Lovingly Frances
I was interested in the list you enclosed. I should like to see them with eyes of today.
Shall write again when I hear from Mrs Piper about portrait. Enclosed cutting may interest you. Keep it for me.
PS I like the Mathew Smith handkerchief so very much. Who can deny his influence seeping into our privatest lives. It is so pretty the little hankey just large enough to cover the little nude when she takes her rest & allows Mathew to squeeze out some fresh rose madder & emerald green. It has given me such pleasure & I must certainly create a new costume round the handkerchief. I know the model of the nude. Her name is Eve – wears tailor mades in real life – very orthodox.
My dearest Jane
I am so badly equipped for writing letters – failing eyesight, empty ink pot, a threatening cold – but here goes. I have kept you waiting long enough for a reply to your urgent, ardent, wholly delightful letters, both yours & E’s – they warm the cockles of my heart. Of course you can keep “Roots” Jane. I am glad you like it I think it is rather a pet. I give it to you for Christmas 1943, with my love. I know you will use greatest discretion & not let it get about that the Artist gave it to you. My dealers might have something to say about that. My prices have risen and are still rising unfortunately for me & my Bank a/c I have not been able to fully benefit by this happy state of affairs owing largely to health & nerves & lack of comfort etc etc. The major root of all our present ills is of course the war & the war climax so close at hand & menacing. I fall into a regular vertigo of fear & horror when I allow myself to dwell on what is happening out there in the black void. Let us keep to the point which deals with pictures not battle fields. Will you tell E. (I am afraid I haven’t left time to write to her) that if she really wishes to possess the Abandoned Cottage I will accept £5.5 for it & please not to tell friends how much she paid for it. I have had to give up selling privately and no longer am on Contract as I find it less of a tie selling on commission. Also the galleries prefer it. I am hoping 1944 will see me in better shape & form – good production years – etc – ahead. I find budgeting & house work & all the lesser evils of housekeeping alone – the very d----l.
I think you & E have got a small section of the cream of my work, such as it is. They are vintage pieces – 1943. I am happy to leave them with you. Be Happy. Lots of good, all good, things for 1944 to you both.
Lovingly Frances
I was interested in the list you enclosed. I should like to see them with eyes of today.
Shall write again when I hear from Mrs Piper about portrait. Enclosed cutting may interest you. Keep it for me.
PS I like the Mathew Smith handkerchief so very much. Who can deny his influence seeping into our privatest lives. It is so pretty the little hankey just large enough to cover the little nude when she takes her rest & allows Mathew to squeeze out some fresh rose madder & emerald green. It has given me such pleasure & I must certainly create a new costume round the handkerchief. I know the model of the nude. Her name is Eve – wears tailor mades in real life – very orthodox.
Sender's address
Studio, Corfe Castle, Dorset
Credit Line
E
H
McCormick
Archive
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Hodgkins'
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H
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