DLA011-0004  Transcription

11. Margin Kossit 67/7

Thursday.

My dear good professor,

You excuse me dont you, that I am writing in English. I like it so much better than the hungarian [print?] really I feel I am getting out of practice slowly, which is now wonder, very few people are equipped with here in Budapest now pitily [sic] - without all the other moments of culture which I adored there so much. I wonder whether you have received my last letter concerning my photographs, - of course you have too much occupation, I know, - but you won't mind asking you, if you have ever received them? I’m very anxious and inquiet about, because my friend Elischer wrote me before 2½ weeks only and than he mentioned that he was ill, couldn’t take them to you yet but he has written to you for an appointment on a Saturday eve (2 weeks before now) and so he assured me I will get them, after a few days; I have not heard from him since nor received the pictures, so you forgive and understand my impatience, I am awfully anxious of your critic which is so valuable and important for me; you will be perhaps interested how the [illegible] thought of them? - I have been very distressed and downhearted in the first momends [sic] but when I went after and asked the member of the jury, Vastagh György,^[1] Spanzir Kornil[?], I had to find that they were quite right - they accep-

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ted the portrait of my father (the gray haired gentleman sitting with hat and gloves) then the round portrait of 3 kiddies and the one oval of a young girl with a rather japanese coiffure and strong smile; - and [illegible] refusal the Archduc, the princess and the little girl in white in landscape. Mr. Vastagh said on the portrait of the Archduke the face is not enough dominant not enough deep shades, under the eyeholes, nose, chin and cheeks so that the uniform is standing before, they[?] objects the high place of the belt as well, - I could understand this because the room where I painted this R. Fl. was down in Flajmastien at his appartments [sic], very dark, and the days where as well very dull, rain and fog, so I couldn’t deepen shadows, specially whith [sic] deep window light; now I will try to ask his R. N.- again for sittings again, perhaps he will be willing too, I would be more distressed if not. On the portrait of the princess (a tall lady with a lace garment in the hands) they objected the same, not enough deep shadows, so that the cloths sein[?] the effect of the face and besides that the hands must be worked out more ( I really dont know where!.) I remembered immediately your dear letter in which you gave me the same hints to get deep shadows under eyes, nose, chin, but the picture was already finished, the princesse gone, I didn’t dare to paint without the model but I will correct

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it anyhow, I dont think it may spoil the caracter [sic]? I wanted allways [sic] to get a very fine effect in colours, harmonys and I see it is’nt [sic] right. I mean I looked allways [sic] for very slight  tender differences in light and shade special by  [illegible] portraits, I was afraid to be too ruff [sic] otherwise, but I have to losse [sic] this habit I know now. So much I remember at the other pictures which I have sent, suffer of the same fault - besides the others - of course.

I am very nervous and distressed since I am home, just no work and commission at all, times and economic conditions are simply terrible, I am permitting present portraits for getting connections and portraits after photo for the most ridiculous prices, people won’t sacrifice anything, - and I have to keep myself! It is too dreadful and I am waiting everything from my exhibition of portraits, my father is fairly well known here and the other two as well.

I had to paint last two weeks before the portrait of the late M. Frank Sascaoffy[?], M.P. of Fereneraros[?] for the Society of Thrug[?]. Epidomesterel[?] after a photograph, it succeeded fairly poor, it is a tiresome work, and I had the start heaps of critics of course sides the Comite; I was glad when

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they finished. The Vernissage of the Winter Exhibition is Saturday at 5, it is a crowded show, but very high niveau, very fine portraits in the grand salle from Horovitz,^[2] Glatter^[3] (The Jossy[?]) Benen[?], Ballö,^[4] I didn’t see nothing of yours didn’t you send some examples?! The two directions modern and conservative came together now, we had two jurys (Vastagh, Spanzir, Kezdi Kovacs,^[5] [illegible names], Szinyey[?],^[6] Glatz,^[7] Szlányi,^[8] [illegible name] for the moderns) and the walls are full of pictures now like in the R.A. - very badly hanged[?]!  

I am anxious whether you are coming home the winter as you mentioned? I should be so happy I can not tell, to hear you speak to me again for a short time, when, when time and my good Fortune will allow; that I could leave from here?.... All my hopes are darkened at present, no way, no prospects at all; I am working diligently the whole day, yet no success,  even morally, for which I am struggling the most …

Do forgive the depressan [sic] tone of this lines, I can not help, if  I am at work I forget it, only after it grasps me again; write me, my dear professor when you have time, about you aw well, I am so glad whenever I can read anything from you  -

believe me, with my heartfelt regards to you and your dear wife | Your most thankful and sincerely

Senyei

SMDL

06/11/2017