DLA018-0064  Transcription (translated where indicated)

234. St James Court

Buckingham Gate

London S.W.1.

Thursday^[1]

Mein lieber guter freund!^[2]

I wish to tell you that I have reached London – and with me my daughter Anne Marie and her friend Countess Therese Eltz^[3] – I am very comfortable established at Mrs Cook’s London flat – here at St James – I hope you and dear Mad. de Laszlo are in London – enjoying the best of health but very busy – during the season – Nevertheless I hope to find the opportunity to see – and have a quick chat about days gone by – I have to keep quiet – and refuse every invitation for any social function – but like to see my friend [quietly? or greatly?] –

My Phone is Victoria 2360 extension 234 – and I hope to hear soon your

[Page 2]

melodic voice! –

[The remainder of the letter is in German in the original]

In the meantime I kiss the hand of your esteemed wife and good bye.

With warmest regards and heartfelt greetings | Your devoted old friend,

Rudolf Slatin

Editorial Notes:

Sir Rudolf Carl von Slatin, also known as ‘Slatin Pasha’ (1857-1932); for biographical notes, see [7178].  

De László had planned to paint a picture for his own pleasure on a subject in connection with the First World War. He wished to depict: “not men fighting, but the still nobler part of suffering women at home; women of all classes in a chapel surrounding the burning candles for the fallen souls” (Rutter, pp. 372-373). The painting was never started, although many studies and sketches remained in the artist’s studio on his death. De László made four studies of Sir Rudolph’s daughter, Baroness Anne Marie von Slatin, for the picture: a full-length study of the Baroness kneeling in a church interior [4298], and three others that included both her and her companion, Countess Thérèse Eltz, who was persuaded to pose [2974] [7006] & [7944]. De László also made a study portrait of Baroness Anne Marie [7176], which he gave to the sitter as a thank-you for agreeing to pose for the War Picture.

SMDL (transcription)

19/05/2018

&

LV (translation)

22/11/2021