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May 5th., 1950

Dear Professor Wethey:

Professor Chandler R. Post, whom I approached a short time ago about a Spanish portrait of the 17th., century I acquired recently, mentioned you as one of the authorities on this particular period of art, and he also told me of the monograph you are writing at present on Alonso Cano.

You will thus excuse I hope the liberty I am taking in asking you whether you could identify the artist who painted the portrait of which I am sending you herein a photograph. As I told Professor Post the quality is such that it was considered as a work by Velasquez, an attribution which of course I do not entertain.

On the other hand, I had thought of Murillo and though I had not mentioned this to Professor Post he interestingly enough also suggested him as a possibility.

However, this is not mentioned with the purpose of influencing you in any way.

t.s.v.p.