Viewing page 457 of 978

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

HOTEL CONTINENTAL
Paris le May 24, 1905

Dear Colonel Hecker:

The days are flying by most rapidly and they are so full of interest and pleasure as to make letter writing almost an impossibility. But I must tell you that the Whistler Exhibition is progressing most satisfactorily. The attendance is large and the interest shown most intelligent and appreciative. I wish Whistler himself could be present occasionally and see the amazing change that has overtaken the opinions of thousands concerning his work. Then, too, his desire to have his collected work, in different mediums, shown in Paris is demonstrating his foresight concerning exhibitions. For the city of Paris is truly the European mecca for art lovers and art students. Here they gather and here they take time to enjoy art in the right way. It interests me greatly to see parties visiting the Whistlers then going to the Louvre and elsewhere to make comparisons. All this is as it should be and what Mr. Whistler so intelligently foresaw.

I have met many early friends of Whistler as well as some of recent years and the intercourse with them all has been delightful. Benedité is writing a memorial to be published with reproductions of about forty of the pictures in the exhibition. I have subscribed for a copy for us both and one for Anna also. Some months will be required for publishing.

Friends here interested in and possessing Oriental art are most kind. Museum cases and private collections are everywhere thrown open to Mr. Norse and myself, and we accompanied by Miss Nordlinger as interpreter, counselor and friend are seeing practically everything Oriental in this great center of Japanese, Chinese, and Central Asian appreciation. Migeon of the Louvre and Koechlin and Isaac of the Arts Decoratif are particularly kind.

But two continuous weeks of such ardent study fills one over full so on Saturday next I shall go to London for a stay of about ten days and then return here.

London will be quieter and afford time for digesting the wonderful things seen here.

Later I shall return to Paris and make trips to the Cathedral towns of France all of which are unknown to me.