DLA022-0314 Translation
42BIS AVENUE HENRI MARTIN
Paris, 9th May 1934
My dear friend,
I have safely received your letter of 3 May in which you told me you had duly received the Salon catalogue.[1] The Salon, on the whole, is better than a few years ago; there is not a single cubist painting left; all this has luckily failed, and it seems there is a new generation demonstrating a certain taste.
Good portraits are unfortunately very rare and those that come from England are certainly the best. I have seen yours [6164][4019], which are very well hung, and produce a favourable impression. I regret you did not send this portrait of a judge with a wig [5657] on which looked so well at your exhibition in London;[2] it has never been seen in Paris and I think critics would have been much impressed.[3]
Mr Pierre Lyautey[4] is very nice and I believe we can trust him entirely. I will certainly see him soon and will discuss with him the matter that concerns us. Unfortunately I could not see the Portlands;[5] I was indeed quite unwell last week because of my sciatica; I telephoned yesterday at the Ritz, but they were already gone. Elaine[6] had written to the Duchess of Portland to invite her, but the letter probably did not reach her before her departure.
It will be a great pleasure for us to see you at the end of the month and in the meantime, please believe me your ever
Armand [de Gramont]
P.S.: Elaine told me about the letter in which you mention the King of the Belgians. The Queen, apparently, ardently wished you would do this portrait.[7]
Editorial Notes:
Antoine XII-Armand, 12th duc de Gramont; styled duc de Guiche (1879–1962), scientist, entrepreneur and close friend of de László; for biographical notes, see [11801].
For de László’s reply, see DLA022-0008, letter from de László to the duc de Gramont, 16 May 1934
CC
14/05/2009
[1] Paris, Salon de la société des artistes français, 1934
[2] M. Knoedler & Company, Inc., London, Portraits by Philip A. de László, M.V.O., Loan Exhibition held in aid of The Artists’ General Benevolent Institution, June – July 1933, no. 26
[3] The following year, de László asked Sir Thomas if he might lend his portrait [5657] for the Salon, but the sitter felt unable to part with it: “It is really with sincere regret that I feel myself unable to accede to your request that I should send my picture to the Paris Salon. Lady Horridge and I both prize the picture so much that we should sadly miss it”, see DLA022-0341, letter from Sir Thomas Gardner Horridge to de László, 12 February 1935.
[4] Pierre Lyautey (1893–1976), French writer, journalist and civil servant
[5] William Arthur Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th Duke of Portland (1857–1943) [4442]; Winifred Anna Cavendish-Bentinck, Duchess of Portland, née Dallas-Yorke (1863–1954) [4411]
[6] Duchesse de Gramont, née Elaine Hélène de Greffulhe (1882–1958) [8804]
[7] De László painted a posthumous portrait of King Albert after his tragic death in 1934 [7867].