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November 28, 1972

Dear Mr. Radcliffe;

How extremely good of you it was to have answered my queries so promptly, and let me express my deep appreciation of your letter of November 20th.

However, you will allow me to disagree with you when you write that your lines "read in a rather negative sorttof way". This is by no means my interpretation of them, for I find the manner in which you delved into the matter of the Venus head truly fascinating. It also testifies to your thoroughness, and I shall be perfectly satisfied in attributing it to the Lombardi circle.

We cannot forget that some forty or fifty years ago, men such as Bode and Planiscig, the one with Flrence and the other with Padua and Venice, were actually starting classifying these small bronzes and had to bring them under some heading which I feel certain, had they lived longer, they would have revised and redistributed under the names of pupils or circles, names which have become generic terms to some extent. This is a task which now is left to the younger generation, to which you belong.

Also, highly thrilling is your discussion of the aoelipile bronze of the Weininger collection at Christie's and here again, remembering well a conversation with Planiscig, it was natural that so fantastic a bronze should be given to RICCIO, toowhose oeuvre he had consecrated so much work and time.

However, here is a problem, when you write that it has much more in common with Florentine bronzes, when there is so little if any such sculpture to compare it with.

Thus I owe you a great many thanks for allowing me a closer approach to these bronzes, which I much enjoyed.
With best greetings,

Sincerely yours,

Germain Seligman

P.S. The little Venus has not yet been photographed, but I shall be happy to send you a print as soon as I have one.

Anthony F. Radcliffe Esq
Assistant to the Director
The Victoria & Albert Museum
South Kensington
Department of Education and Science
London S W 7
ENGLAND