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TP

July 17, 1952

Dear Miss Foote:

Upon my return to town I found your very kind and most comprehensive letter of May 21. I duly found with it the lists of the works of art in your museum, which from your records could have been at one time in the Chateau de Bagatelle.

I am also much obliged to you for the lovely photograph of the small Fragonard portrait. Would you mind very much if I asked if you have any additional data pertaining to this charming painting.

The Watteau "Rural Wedding" would not offhand have been part of the collection, for the collection was removed from Bagatelle in 1904, and if I recall correctly the exhibition of 1911 was not a "reconstitution" of the collection in its previous setting.

I am leaving town next week and intend to take advantage of a few weeks of relaxing to work on these two books and shall study carefully the data you were so good as to forward, and will write you further on this topic upon my return to New York.

However, glancing hastily at the list of the works of art of Mrs. Rogers I assume that the pair of candelabra (42.58.59) is the one which came from this firm.

The two conflicting letters you sent me in connection with the andirons in the Rogers room are indeed puzzling.

I doubt that the Gericault drawing was actually at Bagatelle for besides the works of art which were bequeathed by Sir Richard Wallace to Sir John Murray Scott, some were in England and were not part of the Bagatelle group. This drawing it would seem from the pedigree you indicate must have belonged to the items in England.

With renewed thanks for your courtesy and spirit of cooperation which I deeply appreciate,

Sincerely yours,

(Germain Seligman)

TP

Miss Helen Foote
Associate Curator of Decorative Arts
Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland 6, Ohio