DLA076-0161  Transcription 

28th December, 1934.

Dear Mr. Macbeth,

We both appreciated very much your kind thought in sending us your and Mrs. Macbeth’s^[1] good wishes, which we reciprocate most warmly. I hope that during 1935 we may have the pleasure of meeting you here.

I do hope you enjoyed your Christmas with your charming children. We were both far away at this time last year, and so enjoyed having all our family with us this year.

I would like to take this opportunity to write to you in another matter, which I have meant to for a long time, in fact I have had in front of me here as a reminder for weeks the photograph of my portrait of your little girl holding the doll [3918]. I was so pleased to hear that all the portraits I had the pleasure to paint of you and your family [7014][3918][3919][3921] were shown at Dundee,^[2] but I was distressed to hear from Mr. Robertson^[3] that you and Mrs. Macbeth did not approve of the way I covered the little girl’s legs in the picture [3918]. I did actually have one leg showing at first, but it looked awkward to have the feet showing in the picture at the very edge of the canvas, and for that reason I am sure I was right in changing it and leaving just a suggestion of one foot. In this way I also achieved a more peaceful surrounding of material and concentrated the interest more on the face, which is so expressive, and from which the doll is already inclined to take away the interest. I assure you I thought it out well before adopting the present way, and I am sure it was in the interest of the composition.

[Page 2]

I felt I must explain this to you, and I would be happy to know that this picture appeals to you just as much as the other work of mine which you possess.

Will you please convey to Mrs. Macbeth and your family our warmest greetings and every good wish for a happy New year.

Ever, yours sincerely,

W. Gilchrist Macbeth, Esq.                                                                                                                

28.12.34.

Editorial Note:

William Gilchrist Macbeth (1882–1948); for biographical notes, see [7014].

SMDL

16/01/2021