Letter from Frances Hodgkins to Eardley Knollys
Date
05 Aug 1944
See transcription
Catalogue number
FHL424
Date
05 Aug 1944
Transcript
Studio Corfe Castle Dorset August 5th 44
My Dear Eardley
This is in reply to the lovely greedy Braque with the hors d’oeuvre of 3 emasculated oysters, more oyster than oyster making the mouth of this hungry exile water. And here is Mrs Shurrock’s green ink letter which I found waiting me on my return from Delonie [?] & a delightful visit passed in the graceful vigour of Margot’s company, troubled only by her Mother’s illness, happily brief. Not much painting – well – what matter. The sisters and the sister’s children made lovely living pictures for my delight – almost Renoirs. I was very happy.
I am sure that you will agree with me, after reading Mrs Shurrock’s letter that our best plane is to wait for her sister Mrs Lang who lives in Scotland – whose son, recently married, will inherit his Grand Father’s pictures & furniture.
I imagine the Studio will then be cleared & the way open to my possession, or rather yours, of the Studio – cottage etc.
By the way I must put Mrs Shurrock right on the point of the Nat: Trust which she appears to think will take it over.
I am sure that you will understand her anxiety that her parents should be spared suffering or distress – they are so very old & frail. I strongly feel that we should negotiate through the sisters – or sister – when one, or both, are here in Sept – October. This was your own idea and I think a wise one.
I will keep in touch with Mrs Shurrock & let you know when she & you could meet & have a talk, or her sister – as she says nothing can be fixed up by letter.
Shall you be coming any how? Drop me a p.c if you still want me to book a room.
Finally if an opportunity occurs I will tell the Newberries that you will presently be in Corfe & might like to see them in passing. But don’t count on this.
Oh! My lovely pictures!
Aren’t I clever?
These two you have so nobly sent me are my Swan Song. The Family highly stylised aiming at musical unity & a sort of colour combination missing in the Prints. Red Cockerel is the better painting. Thank you so very much for them. They are extremely good photographs. Love Frances
Have left Pissarro’s letters with Margot to return to you & brought away with me Samuel Palmer that massive & holy man. The more one reads of their private lives the more one sees the raw deal that is theirs from all but cradle to grave.
Would not Kane have been glad of the £600 given by Geoffrey Gorer for that rather footling little picture of a little child in a snow storm?
My Dear Eardley
This is in reply to the lovely greedy Braque with the hors d’oeuvre of 3 emasculated oysters, more oyster than oyster making the mouth of this hungry exile water. And here is Mrs Shurrock’s green ink letter which I found waiting me on my return from Delonie [?] & a delightful visit passed in the graceful vigour of Margot’s company, troubled only by her Mother’s illness, happily brief. Not much painting – well – what matter. The sisters and the sister’s children made lovely living pictures for my delight – almost Renoirs. I was very happy.
I am sure that you will agree with me, after reading Mrs Shurrock’s letter that our best plane is to wait for her sister Mrs Lang who lives in Scotland – whose son, recently married, will inherit his Grand Father’s pictures & furniture.
I imagine the Studio will then be cleared & the way open to my possession, or rather yours, of the Studio – cottage etc.
By the way I must put Mrs Shurrock right on the point of the Nat: Trust which she appears to think will take it over.
I am sure that you will understand her anxiety that her parents should be spared suffering or distress – they are so very old & frail. I strongly feel that we should negotiate through the sisters – or sister – when one, or both, are here in Sept – October. This was your own idea and I think a wise one.
I will keep in touch with Mrs Shurrock & let you know when she & you could meet & have a talk, or her sister – as she says nothing can be fixed up by letter.
Shall you be coming any how? Drop me a p.c if you still want me to book a room.
Finally if an opportunity occurs I will tell the Newberries that you will presently be in Corfe & might like to see them in passing. But don’t count on this.
Oh! My lovely pictures!
Aren’t I clever?
These two you have so nobly sent me are my Swan Song. The Family highly stylised aiming at musical unity & a sort of colour combination missing in the Prints. Red Cockerel is the better painting. Thank you so very much for them. They are extremely good photographs. Love Frances
Have left Pissarro’s letters with Margot to return to you & brought away with me Samuel Palmer that massive & holy man. The more one reads of their private lives the more one sees the raw deal that is theirs from all but cradle to grave.
Would not Kane have been glad of the £600 given by Geoffrey Gorer for that rather footling little picture of a little child in a snow storm?
Sender's address
Studio, Corfe Castle, Dorset
Credit Line
E
H
McCormick
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