Letter from Arnold Skutezky to Egon Schiele, 3rd Mar. 1917

Transcription:

3rd March [1]917

Dear Mr. Schiele!

As a matter of form I am letting you know that while I have received your letter from the 27th of this month, I am not yet in possession of the work of which I was advised therein. Would you therefore please file a complaint with the postal services in case it has been lost? At any rate I thank you for your kindness but must call your attention to the fact that I am not a specialized collector. Perhaps Director [Franz Martin] Haberditzl has told you that I have hitherto only been interested in Old Masters and have now decided to add art from later periods up until the most recent period to my collection. It is therefore to be expected that I will develop a preference for certain new masters over others and I hope that your works will make me develop such a
preference. This year, however, I am in no position to fulfill such an extensive promise to you. I am looking forward to following your development with the greatest personal interest, but given my interest in other artists I am unable to commit to scheduled purchases of your doubtless deserving works.
Respectfully yours,
Arnold Skutezky

I have just received your drawing. I fear, however, that it might have been confused with another work, presumably by mistake. Also, in the work I received today the lower part of the face is smudged. I am therefore sending it back and I ask that for now
you reserve the replacement for me until I find the time to visit you.