DLA123-0137 Transcription
Cotroceni Palace
Bucharest[1]
Feb. 16th 1925
Dear Mr. De Laszlo,
Ever so many thanks for your interesting long letter, which I appreciated all the more knowing how very busy you are. The pictures photos of your portraits of my wife have safely arrived, for which we are very grateful.[2] They are ever so much better than the reproduction in the “Graphic” [3273].[3] As regards your kind offer of sending out the two portraits, my wife and I think it more prudent not to do so, as too many travelling is not too good for them, and besides
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travelling in these parts of the world is not without risk for works of art. It would be safer to wait until after your Exhibitions.– The Crown Prince of Roumania has come back full of admiration of his visit to your Studio.[4]
No words can express the envey [sic] I feel for my sisters being able to be in London. I am impatiently awaiting my visit there this summer.– To our great grief we heard the other day the death of the old Duc de Grammont, we wired our condolence to Guiche, but not having received an answer, don’t know weather [sic] he ever got our telegram.[5] I wonder weather the Duchess will go and
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settle down in Italy, as you told us she intended to.[6]
I am pleased to hear you are taking a holiday on the Riviera and hope you will enjoy it, as you seem to be very much overworked. I wonder weather [sic] any of your boys will be able to accompany you.
I am afraid I haven't any news of interest to give you from our parts of the world.
My wife sends you many messages.
Hoping it to be au revoir soon | I remain your’s sincerely
George. R.
Editorial Note:
George II of Greece, King of the Hellenes (1890-1947); for biographical notes, see [7811].
HJ
10/12/2019
[1] King George II of Greece was forced into exile in December 1923; the Second Hellenic Republic was proclaimed on 25 March 1924. King George and his wife, Elisabeta of Greece (née Princess Elisabeta of Romania) [3270], took refuge in Romania, living at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest.
[2] De László painted Elisabeta in Paris in 1924, completing a half-length in oil [3273], a study portrait [7823] and a portrait drawing [7820].
[3] [F.L.L.], “Art in the Making,” The Graphic, 24 January 1925, p. 123
[4] In January 1925, Carol, Crown Prince of Romania (later King Carol II of Romania) [4220] visited London. He was accompanied by the Crown Princess, Helen [4221], and her sister, Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark [7825]. The Crown Prince returned to Romania on 28 January; the Crown Princess and Princess Irene stayed in London through February.
[5] Antoine XI-Agénor, 11th duc de Gramont (1851-1925) [8752] died on 30 January 1925. His son, Antoine XII-Armand, styled duc de Guiche (1879-1962) [11801] became the 12th duc de Gramont.
[6] Following her husband’s death, the duchesse de Gramont (née Donna Maria Ruspoli) (1888-1976) [12810] spent an increasing amount of time at Vigoleno, a 10th-century castle near Milan, which she had bought in 1922.