DLA016-0002  Transcription  

18th December, 1926.

Herr. Dr. Sigismund Muntz.,

III Reisner Strass, 23,

VIENNA.

My dear Friend,

Ever since I returned from my visit to Paris, I have daily wished to write to you, but so many duties have prevented me doing this.

I have received your various cards, etc., and now I do not intend to let the old year pass by without sending you a few lines.

In Paris I had a few very interesting sitters, South American, Cuba, Bolivian, etc., and also the Duchesse d’Ursel [4969].

Before leaving my friend Grammont^[1] gave a reception for me in his house, which was very successful, and amongst others who came – was the Duchesse Vendome.^[2]

It will interest you, I know, to hear that I dined at the Jockey Club with Marshal Lyautey, of whom, later on, I am painting his portrait [6118]. He is one of the last of France’s distinguished soldiers, and of a party which is fast disappearing because he is not a socialist.

Here I am very busy again and have some inetrosting [sic] sitters – I have begun a portrait of a great British statesman, Lord Reading [6747], and a most sympathetic man. I am painting him in the pale blue velvet robe of the Grand Master of the Star of India, and the picture

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will go out to Delhi to hand in the new Palace, in continuation of the portraits I did of Lond Minto [3105] and Lord Hardinge [111008] sometime ago.

I am very interested in this man – who started from the very bottom, with even his birthright against him – which shows what qualities of character can do, but only in this free country real personal merit can achieve anything.

Tomorrow we have all our boys home, to which we are much looking forward.

We had a splendid report about Paul,^[3] at Oxford, we were told by his Tutor that he has a chance of getting First Honours and of becoming a Fellow of All Souls, which is the greatest honour and privilege.

There is only one heavy cloud which shadows our festival season – and that is the wedding of Henry, who is acting against our wishes, and, as you know we will not change our decision.^[4] 

I could wish also that I had better news regarding my brother.^[5]

My plans for the near future are – that I leave at the end of January for ten days in Paris, then I go on to the British Ambassador at Portugal,^[6] then to Madrid to the King,^[7] where I hope also to paint studies for myself. Altogether I expect to be away about six weeks and to come back when the buds begin to appear again on the trees.

My wife was very pleased to receive good news from you and we both wish you much happiness for the coming season and 1927.

Believe me, | Always yours,

P.S. I have taken note of what you told me about Doctor Pagenstecher and I hope they will be able to come over to England, as I fear there would be only one other chance of my being able to paint them and that would be during my stay in Paris.^[8]

Editorial Note:

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

SMDL

10/12/2017