Letter from Frances Hodgkins to Eardley Knollys
Date
22 Jan 1945
See transcription
Catalogue number
FHL433
Date
22 Jan 1945
Transcript
Corfe Castle Dorset Jan 22 45
My dear Eardley
I have been on the point of writing to you for an age. It has taken me all the fire of life, which never goes out, to keep alive the fire in my two stoves which on the contrary go out much too often. The Studio because of this failing is closed till I can get more fuel god knows when & how. Meanwill here is a quite utterly inadequate note to your Christmas letter & the lovely book in which you can spend hours treasure hunting – what adoration for beauty. All things beautiful – ardent sensitive – Rabelaisian laughter. Oh! The richest book that ever was. Thank you for it. It has come at a good moment of embittered disillusion. I refer to the Studio debacle – what a flop it was. No wonder you were annoyed & cross with Mrs N & all women kind. I still continue to think that the two “ugly daughters” wished you to have the studio but having no legal rights would not act without the Mother’s consent. Mrs Land is now here. The nurse is here too.
Let me say once again how awfully sorry I am that we have had this set back to your compassionate scheme to tidy up my grubby old Barn & make it habitable & comfortable.
I am now waiting for the break up of the frost to get one with my work. Duncan is crying out for it – he talks of staging a Group consisting of C. Sutherland, my self & perhaps 2 others – Nash & Moore. (Talking of Moore can you tell me where a friend of mine could buy one of his Drawings – she asked me if he sells privately or through agents. She is fanatical over his shelter works.)
Not one word more – bitterly cold. Hoping to see you when Spring comes or sooner. You’ll have to make up yr mind about picture when you see it again.
Trusting for the best for this year for you & always Frances
My dear Eardley
I have been on the point of writing to you for an age. It has taken me all the fire of life, which never goes out, to keep alive the fire in my two stoves which on the contrary go out much too often. The Studio because of this failing is closed till I can get more fuel god knows when & how. Meanwill here is a quite utterly inadequate note to your Christmas letter & the lovely book in which you can spend hours treasure hunting – what adoration for beauty. All things beautiful – ardent sensitive – Rabelaisian laughter. Oh! The richest book that ever was. Thank you for it. It has come at a good moment of embittered disillusion. I refer to the Studio debacle – what a flop it was. No wonder you were annoyed & cross with Mrs N & all women kind. I still continue to think that the two “ugly daughters” wished you to have the studio but having no legal rights would not act without the Mother’s consent. Mrs Land is now here. The nurse is here too.
Let me say once again how awfully sorry I am that we have had this set back to your compassionate scheme to tidy up my grubby old Barn & make it habitable & comfortable.
I am now waiting for the break up of the frost to get one with my work. Duncan is crying out for it – he talks of staging a Group consisting of C. Sutherland, my self & perhaps 2 others – Nash & Moore. (Talking of Moore can you tell me where a friend of mine could buy one of his Drawings – she asked me if he sells privately or through agents. She is fanatical over his shelter works.)
Not one word more – bitterly cold. Hoping to see you when Spring comes or sooner. You’ll have to make up yr mind about picture when you see it again.
Trusting for the best for this year for you & always Frances
Sender's address
Corfe Castle, Dorset
Credit Line
E
H
McCormick
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