[Illustrated letter from William Orpen to Mrs St George with a self-portrait of the artist holding a telegram]

Handwritten letter on Orpen's personal headed paper, in which he informs Mrs St George that the oil painting 'Venus and Me' will be going to Venice. He also thanks her for her criticisms of a recent painting. In the bottom half of the letter is a sketch of the artist reading a telegram from Asquith, in which Asquith apologises for not coming this morning.

(1910)

Ink on paper

Orpen painted 'Myself and Venus' in 1910. Orpen painted Herbert Asquith's portrait 'The Rt. Hon. H. H. Asquith' (oil on canvas) in 1909.

Private Collection

Prints & Drawings Department

 

to Venice - but I won't ask you as the things
would not be back till next November
and "Venus and Me" should be enough for them
I thought the criticism you sent me of [Pasival"]
Was very well written. And much more in it
Than the criticism we get over here - more personal
At any rate. - Saturday morning - just off to [Putney]
So must post this as it will be too late when
I get back - in close letter .C.K.S. about Poppy's
Shall I let it be done and send it to you?

Sir William Orpen, Irish artist, born in Dublin, Orpen trained at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art before moving to London to study at the Slade School of Fine Art. He remained in London and became a highly successful portrait and subject painter. Appointed Official War Artist in 1917, Orpen left for France and was stationed at Amiens and the Somme Battlefields. He returned to London after the war and remained there until his death.

Florence Evelyn St George, eldest child of New York banker George F Baker. In 1906 while married to Howard Bligh St George she began a relationship with Sir William Orpen.