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July 16, 1952

Dear Dick:

Your two letters of July 11, and 14, reached me while I am in New York for a few days.

In fact Ethlyne and I have just returned from an extensive trip to Europe and are off again next week for the Virgin Islands.

I was of course much interested to read of your inquiry about paintings by Vuillard.

The only one I have at present is the famous one which you know well, namely "The Studio" representing Mr. and Mrs. Natanson, which in view of circumstance is acquiring daily a greater importance.

In fact it is only a short time ago that I received it back from Europe, as it had been on exhibition in Zurich for several weeks.

It can definitely be said about it that it is one of his masterpieces and of his greatest period. You will recall it is dates '97, and the price which I quoted you previously of $12,000.- (Twelve thousand dollars) is not only extremely reasonable but truly low when I think of the "fantastic" prices brought by paintings, not only at the Cognacq sale but at the different auctions of all types I attended in Europe.

Furthermore, I have been offered nowhere a painting by Vuillard, and the only ones which could have been acquired were of his later period, and they are not representative of his true talent.
(1)
Now, as regards the lending of our portrait of "Empress Eugenie" by Winterhalter, I will have to do some convincing with Ethlyne, for you know how we both are attached to it, and particularly Ethlyne. Added to this there is always the danger to such delicate carved wood frames which even though insured can never be satisfactorily restored. If I succeed in my mission I will write to you anew before leaving.

I shall be back in New York by September 2, and will be glad to hear further from you as to other portrait my firm might be able to lend to your great undertaking.

I enjoyed much hearing from you and with all good wishes to Phyllis, the baby, and you,

Sincerely yours,

(Germain Seligman)

Mr. Richard S. Davis
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Minneapolis, Minnesota

[[left margin]] (L) In fact I did not buy one single modern painting aboard. [[/left margin]]