Undated letter from Erich Kahn to J.P. Hodin

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[Translation/transcription]

1 Albert Studios
4 Albert Street
NW1

Euston 6507

Dear Pepi,

Many thanks for your letter from July and the one from the Institute of Foreign Relations, which I am returning here – with apologies for the delay (immersed in my main vice, I paint and dabble beyond midnight and whenever I can). Since then I’ve received a letter from Herr Pollig, who tells me he sent you a carbon copy of his letter. The colour photos have been in his possession since then. It was necessary to have new ones taken; I was able to send several of the old ones, but they came out blue because they were taken in bright sunshine. Among the new photos there is a very good one of ‘Epikur’ [Epicurus], which I’ve sent him (the latter is far too big to be exhibited there). Some of the photos had reflections – the photo enclosed here being one of them (the others I have thrown away). What do you think of Herr Pollig’s suggestions? It couldn’t possibly be a comprehensive exhibition. I’ve painted a dozen or so paintings this summer (there were a couple more), and I’m still working on them. With a helping of gallows humour I’ve christened them the ‘London Elegies’ (Regent’s Park, city, Kenwood, still life). A friend took two of them for his flat in New York, but there are still plenty left. I’d like to show them to you before I make any further decisions.

The vast triptych ‘La belle juive’, inspired by J. P. Sartre (on antisemitism) still stands in the studio, and every now and then I imagine it’s almost finished. It’s subtitled ‘The Curate’s Egg’ and is good only in parts. I can never really see the whole thing; it is so ridiculously long, and there’s a table in front of it. I’ve started some new paintings and, since history has become so heavy a burden, I shall continue with that until the autumn doldrums and adverse external circumstances put an end to it (and there’s no end to them!). Excuse this abominable scrawl – it would make very little difference if I were to write it out again. My nerves are not holding up well; it’s only bearable while I’m painting, [illegible] somewhat.

Here I am writing about myself the whole time. I hope the family are well and that your work this summer has been a great success. Hope to see you soon.

Warm regards,

Yours,

Erich

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