John Singer SARGENT (1856-1925). 3 L.A.S., London 1914-1915, - Lot 27

John Singer SARGENT (1856-1925). 3 L.A.S., London 1914-1915, to Léon Delafosse; 9pages in-8 at his London address 31 Tite Street, Chelsea, 2 envelopes. Correspondence to the pianist and composer whose portrait he painted (Seattle Art Museum). December 22 [1914]. Would like to know if Delafosse is far from the fray: "I was in the Austrian Tirol when the war started, and stayed there until the end of November. It was not easy to get out, without a passport", without money, and with the expressions of hatred for England in the newspapers and among the population; he found in London "a feeling of strength and almost of security"... - Thursday. Delafosse being in London, Sargent invites him to dinner. - December 1915. He thanks him for his sympathy after the loss of a charming boy, who died in a rather heroic manner... "What wishes can we make for the year 1916? [...] I have the spleen and all pleasure seems abolished to me. I wish you to have friends around you. Mine are dwindling fast. Fortunately my sisters are well. I'm thinking of going to America one of these days, to set up my decorative canvases"...