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March 10, 1970

Dear Mr. Pope-Hennessy:

Herewith, I am taking the liberty of sending you two views (photographs are a bit hard) of the PIETA marble I have just acquired. In fact, you may recall that when I had the enjoyment of your visit, in November, I showed you a transparency of it.

Dr. Middeldorf, who is well acquainted with this marble - for it was in Italy whence it came directly to me - considers it the work of Christoforo SOLARI, and may I inquire whether you would agree with this attribution ?

I have compared it with the few established works by this artist - the tombs at the Certosa, the Christ at the Column, in the Milan cathedral, and the Saint Sebastian, in Como. I am much impressed with the similarity of treatment, particularly of the torso, remarkably round and three-dimensional, as well as that of the hair. But it is your opinion, of course, which will count. It is quite different from the works of MANTEGAZZA, whom he succeeded at the Certosa, and even much farther from BAMBAIA.

It is of Carrara marble, according to Dr. Middeldorf, and it has gained a lovely warm mellowness. And would I be far wrong in dating it ca 1500 ? 

May I trust that you will not mind my taking up your time with this matter, but I know, on the other hand, how much you like to be posted about important Italian [[?]]res. let me add that I am very happy to own this impressive work, and that irrespective of the name of the artist you will agree as to its merit.

I do hope that you will give me soon an opportunity of showing you the original, and that I shall have thus the pleasure of seeing you.

With warm regards,

Sincerely yours,

Germain Seligman

J.W. Pope-Hennessy, Esq.
Director
Victoria & Albert Museum
South Kensington
London, S.W. 7