DLA016-0032  Transcription

27th December, 1928.

My dear Friend,

Your very welcome letter of the 14th inst., gave us much pleasure and from which I see that you are as young in spirit as usual.^[1]

I was very interested to hear that you are writing a book on King Edward VII.^[2] With regard to his portrait [7705] – I must admit that, at the moment, I am not quite sure who made the reproduction after his picture, which is in my book^[3] – but I think it was:-

The Photographische Gesellschaft,

BERLIN

Stechbahn, 1

Would you mind writing to them and asking for the photograph in my name – I, myself, have written to them to let them know about the time it was done,^[4] when I painted King Edward [7705], whom I would call, amongst all the Sovereigns I have met, the most delightful, and most human Grand Seigneur, and if he was not, himself, artistic in his nature, he appreciated Art and supported it, but first of all his greatest quality was his interest in humanity and his keen political foresight. He was certainly a man who could not be led by any professional politician.

Yes, Turin was a most interesting experience and we had a most wonderful time while I painted the Crown Prince^[5] – a very sympathetic young man with the best intention and great taste and absolute

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interest and understanding of all the beauty and Art by which he is surrounded at the Palace at Torino. Of course he is still very young, but I am sure he will become a splendid man – and he has always an example in front of him in Mussolini.^[6]

I am sending you a photograph of my picture [7890], which will reach you in a few days and you can make any use of it that you like. He is painted in the costume of his great ancestor, Filliberto Emmanuelo and the shield on his breast is worked in pure gold and is a masterpiece of the great Benevuto [sic] Cellini.^[7]

Next year on May 15th my Exhibition will be opened here and it will also, at the same time commemorate my 60th birthday, and this Exhibition will be one of the most interesting I have ever had up till now.^[8]

At present I am preparing for my journey to Egypt to which I much look forward and which I need for my health. I am following the invitation of King Fuad to paint two large official portraits of him – one for the Palace and one for the Parliament.^[9] After I have finished this work and have enjoyed the Art treasure of Cairo and its surroundings, I hope to spend another month up the Nile and to go up to the second Cataract, for a rest and to paint in the sun, studies for my own pleasure. My wife, and probably Paul, will follow me and arrive in time for a week in Cairo and will accompany me up the Nile, and it will certainly be one of the most interesting experiences of my life and I will not fail to write down all I pass through.^[10]

All our four sons are with us – Henry^[11] is getting on splendidly and is Assistant Professor at the:-

Institute of Technology,

CAMBRIDGE,

Boston,

MASS, U-S.A.

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Alas! His wife^[12] has been very ill, but she is better now.

Stephen^[13] the second son is leaving at the end of this week for America, to gain further experience in his engineering work and he hopes to stay there for a year or two.

Paul is preparing for his final examination for the Bar and Patrick^[14] is still at Oxford and Johnnie^[15] is still at his Public School. Otherwise we are all well. My wife and sons and myself all unite in sending our very best wishes for 1929.

I would be very pleased to hear again from you soon, if you will write to me at:-

Hotel Semiramis,

CAIRO

And now, dear Friend, | Believe me, | Yours always

Editorial Note:

Sigmund Münz (1859-1934), Austrian journalist and writer; for biographical notes see [6377].

SMDL

10/12/2017