Letter from Egon Schiele to Anton Peschka, 14th Mar. 1918

Transcription:

14th March.

Dear A. P. I wrote you a card yesterday and I
presume that you may not have gotten it, which is
why I am hereby writing to tell you the same things
plus further details.
Our exhibition drew so many visitors on its opening
day and especially on Sundays that it was difficult to move
through it. All one could see was enthusiastic or appalled
people blocking the paintings. Without consulting anybody,
the Secession committee decided to change two rooms
in which your paintings were hung before the
exhibition opened. This is why none of your works
were reproduced in the catalogue, – but two flower
paintings have been put up, for which I had frames
fitted, they represent you well, but not enough. – You
must really get to work now, because this is
the best opportunity yet to expect a success.
You have read about the unusual acquisition on the
first day. – People are longing for new
art, – for movement; rejuvenated, they
breathe a sigh of relief. – So try to come
to Vienna at once, – every day counts and is
filled with promise. – No telegram was sent to you
because the matter was not that important and
no collection took place. They have
written to you and as the exhibitor
you must insist that you are remunerated.

The exhibition will close at the end of March
and will move on at once. – I have established
connections to the foreign office and I
believe it is possible that the ministry might
take on the exhibition.
Once you come to Vienna, work, –
work! – So you can be better represented
in the exhibitions to come. –
You can get material from me, – you
will have to paint on cardboard, because
canvas is available only at enormous prices.
– If you can find strong canvas, bring it.
We hope to go to Holland soon
so we can blot out the impression
left by the exhibitions of the War Press Office
in The Hague, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
– As soon as you come to
Vienna, visit me after 5 o’clock,
my best regards until then!

EGON
SCHIELE
1918