DLA017-0146 Transcription
Hotel Imperiale Roma, Via Veneto
My dear Philip,
Today I began my week at the “British Academy of Arts”, a very good school in the via Margutta. There are 2 classes: Nude and Life, both models. I think the life more model, a [very?] interesting bearded old lion. Enrico Arcioni[1] is the professor, a portrait painter who told us he is a great admirer of yours. He is just painting Lady Astor’s daughter, Lady A told him that she has a portrait from you [likely 2445].[2]
It is a pity that I am not younger. Drawing tires me, especially my eyes. I also found a good painter Anniviti,[3] in whose studio I will have painting lessons and we will also go to paint in the open air. To begin any week I used a very soft pencil you gave me but I will [illegible] will use [illegible].
Love from Vilmos.
Editorial Note:
Vilmos Ruttkay de Felső-Ruttka (born 1869), commercial attaché at the Hungarian Embassy in London; for biographical notes, see [4856].
CC
11/12/2006
[1] Enrico Arcioni (1875-1954), Italian artist
[2] De László began painting Lady Violet Astor’s portrait in 1925 [8208], but as both sitter and artist were both so busy, the completion of the portrait kept being postponed. It was not until mid-June 1927 that Lady Violet returned to sit for her portrait. Given the passage of time, it was decided to start the portrait afresh [2445]. The earlier, incomplete portrait [8208] remained in de László’s studio. De László also painted Lady Violet’s daughter, Lady Margaret Myddelton, née Lady Margaret Elizabeth Mercer Nairne, in 1927 [11287].
[3] Possibly Filippo Anivitti (1876-1955), Italian artist