Letter from Anton Kolig to Egon Schiele, 18th Oct. 1918

Translation of the Transcription:

Nötsch, 18th Oct.[ober] 1918

Dear Schiele!

Please don’t be put out that I come to you with a request. Do you perhaps know of someone who would be interested in buying the Gailtal women? I know that as a costume painting, it is not in my latest style – but Moll had given me an advance of 1,500 K [crowns] at the time, after all. At the moment, I would sell it for 2,000 K. Let me explain to you why I am asking: A gentleman in Klagenfurt – rich as anything – wants to buy them; but he is so cheap that he wants to push me down to 1,500 – now that he knows that I am not well off. Therefore, it would give me great satisfaction to find another buyer – perhaps even an intention to buy from another party would strengthen my potential buyer’s resolve. Maybe it would be enough if someone inquired from Vienna if there was a painting by me for sale and for what price. It would mean a lot to me to know the painting to be in his house – but I am very annoyed about this haggling.
What will become of your collection that was intended for Wiesbaden?
I am currently working on a painting that is giving me pleasure – but I am very worried that the question of peace is being brought to a head and will come to nothing again – that might mean the suspension of any exemptions. It is a very bad time for focused work, especially in my dismal solitude. You mentioned that you could spare some cigarettes. If it is not too much trouble, could you send me a pack of 100 – and deduct the cost for them and the other expenses (photograph etc.) from the bill to be sold – but …. If you are perhaps able to put them aside. Kindest regards, yours A. [Anton] Kolig