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May 9, 1951

Sir:

Your amiable letter of April 16th reached me in Paris when I was just about to return to the States and I am indeed sorry my time was so short as not to allow me to call upon you in Brussles, which I would have so gladly done.

As per your kind request I take pleasure in sending you herein a transparent color photograph of the Bonnard "Nude" I wrote to you about.

I consider it gives a good enough idea of this superb painting, so very characteristic of the talent of Bonnard.

However, not immediately noticeable on the photograph, may I call your attention to the dark-brownish-black line that frames in the painting all along the right hand side. This line has a great "value" as it brings out superbly the other green and orange verticals. Also see the still life constituted by the top of the small table on the right. We have here an opposition of extrmely delicate hues to the strong and bright colors of the whole composition.

Enclosed on a separate sheet you will find the data as to date, collections, and exhibitions, whereby you will be able to see that it not only came from a collector of great taste and knowledge, certainly well known to you by name, but also the popularity of this painting, which has been invited to so many exhibitions.

The price is $8,000 (Eight thousand dollars).

You mention also your interest in other artists of the Ecole de Paris of the 20th century, and I notice with pleasure your caring also for Matisse, Picasso, and Braque, of which I possess too several important works. May I assume that your taste also includes Juan Gris.

If I am mentioning these it is because I expect to be back in Europe in June at which time I would enjoy having the opportunity of calling on you and showing you photographs of these paintings.

Should I not be able to undertake this trip I would then forward these photographs to you by mail.

Yours very sincerely,

(Germain Seligman)

Monsieur Henri Belien
15 rue Stephanie
Brussels, Belgium

ENC

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