Letter Card from Egon Schiele to Richard Lányi, 1st Mar. 1917

Translation of the Transcription:

1st March 1917. 9 am.

Dear Mr. Lanyi – I do not wish to be antagonistic. – Perhaps you will suspect something that isn’t true when I tell you that I want to keep the work on paper for “myself”. – But you have to bear in mind that the sole purpose of my drawings is for them to serve as preparations for my paintings, that they are meant only for me and are of tremendous value to me – as they give me an idea for my “next” work. – Unfortunately, it has happened all too often that my most precious works on paper were taken from me, causing many a great work to be nipped in the bud, and leading many to be deceived and believe that my works on paper are already finished works. Seeing as I have already promised you the work – I admit that I am in the wrong, as I acted prematurely – you can have the work on the condition that you won’t sell it on, and will loan it to me for exhibitions and for my work on the painting. – Make sure that this work and the child will be illustrated in color – I am being told by everyone that the reproduction is worthless if you can’t see the colors.

[Address block:]
Mr. Bookseller
Richard Lányi
Vienna I.
Kärntnerstraße 44.

Abs. [Sender]: Egon Schiele, Vienna XIII, Hietzinger-Hauptstr.[aße] 101.