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657

(123)

Oct. 4/96.

Mr. Harrison S. Morris,
Managing Director, Penna. Academy of Fine Arts,
Philadelphia, Pa.

Dear Sir:

In reply to your recent letter requesting me to loan for your forthcoming exhibition the painting, “Figure in Greek Costume”, by Abbott H. Thayer, I regret exceedingly that I cannot comply with your request. Heretofore I have been cheerfully willing to loan from my little collection any pictures wanted for properly managed exhibitions, but the treatment given the Tryon and Dewing loaned on your personal request to the Penna. Academy of Fine Arts was such as to cause me to draw the line against your institution under its present management. The way in which the work of these two artists was treated in hanging and particularly afterward in packing does not lead me to feel like having much works “skied” or returned with broken frames. Other exhibitions, both abroad and in America, have had these same pictures and have handled them with the consideration due. I wish I could say as much for Philadelphia.

Your desire to encourage American art is very commendable, but would it not also be well to learn to respect it after production?

Yours truly,
Charles L. Freer

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