The Cotman Collection | 13

Cotmania. Vol. XI. 1935-6

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/2/1/11
Page: 10 recto, insert recto


  • Description

    Letter to Kitson from Harold Isherwood Kay (National Gallery) regarding the potential bequest of a painting (whose attribution may be to Cotman, Munn, or Wilson)

    Letter to Kitson regarding the potential bequest of a painting (whose attribution may be to Cotman, Munn, or Wilson)

    Date:

  • Transcription

    Blackheath
    2 March 1936

    My Dear Kitson
    The enthusiastic young student in whose room you first saw the Wilson drawing admires that charming production no less now than before he saw the unexpected signed Munn in the Hayward Collection. He would rejoice to possess it, whatever its ultimate attribution might be. Whether he will finally believe it to be a Cotman or a Munn he is thus far quite unable to foretell. His feeling of embarrassment at being given the drawing, which had nothing to do with its authorship, persists, and he still wonders if a bequest - which he prays may be slow to materialise - might not be happiest. In an event, he would like to know what views as to its final destination may be entertained by its generous owner - who he thinks is a dear.

Letter to Kitson from Harold Isherwood Kay (National Gallery) regarding the potential bequest of a painting (whose attribution may be to Cotman, Munn, or Wilson)