[Illustrated letter from William Orpen to Mrs St George with a sketch of the artist looking at a miniature on the reverse]

Handwritten letter, on Metropolitan School of Art headed paper, which Orpen wrote to Mrs St George while on holiday in Howth, County Dublin. Orpen asks where Mr Baker would like his portrait to be painted. He also mentions that Jennie French showed him the miniature she painted of Alcie (Ferris St George) and writes that Asquith will 'sit 3 days next week'. On the reverse is a sketch of the artist looking at the miniature of Ferris.

(1909)

Ink on paper

From 1909 to 1915 Orpen rented a house every summer at the Cliffs, Howth, County Dublin where he and his family spent their holidays. Orpen painted George F Baker's portrait in 1910. Jennie French, miniature painter, exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy between 1907 and 1930.

Private Collection

Prints & Drawings Department

 

recto

My Dear Mrs St. George. I got your
letter at the cliffs this morning
you are certainly the most wonderful
thing that ever happened. You
have lifted a load off my mind
- though as you know there is
nothing I should have loved
better than to have gone to Screebe -
What afternoon shall I go and
do the varnishing for you? On
no account let Egan touch it -
I could blame him than in doing
Something wrong if people don't
Like it - I would sooner have
Everything off my own bat: and

get all the curses myself - where
would you like the picture painted
at Clonsilla or here? I presume
Clonsilla would be nicer for Mr.
Baker - but I do not know what
Trains I could catch - the 9
From Howth is about the earliest
I could get from there and that would
Miss the 9-30 Broadstone - However
We can talk about that -
Thanks so much for the books -
I'm sorry he did not keep up to
The mark. - Jennie French came
over yesterday and showed me
the miniature - I think it's very
good - at least as good as
a human (Woman) could do of such a
marvelous and wonderful being
as the one and only Alcie - Honest

verso

I think it's very good - but miniatures give me the [pip]
In general - that dirty beast Jennie French says Alcie
Is (heavier) than Christine - the great elephant - my child
Has the soul if yours the body - don't ask me to
Go to Clonsilla Sunday as I have brother coming
Out to stay the weekend. Any day after you like -
All right, all right - there are no straight lines in this
drawing and no need for them
so please pass
it without remarks
I forgot to mention
before that I have put
on 1 ½ stone in weight
this summer this drawing
make break it to you
I'm just like my brother
Richard - I had a
letter from Asquith this
morning saying he was
ready to sit 3 days
next week! I think
I must be going crazy I never
Seem to finish anything
Your sincerely
William Orpen

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.