Letter from Oskar Kokoschka to J.P. Hodin

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[Translation/transcription]

9.XII.55

My dearest Magister

I have to apologize for never answer your so kind letters, simply because I do not know what to do first. Time is too short alltogether. One needs the lifespan of a Methusalem. I do hope to come to London about February and see you and my beautyfull one, that is much more satisfying than all the waiting. Please, do something to stop that nonsense with rubbing my age under my nose, you heard about something from LANGEN VERLAG? Tell him that it makes me too angry, I want to be young and nobody ought to count my years who loves me. Would the beautyfull one count them? Perhaps she would see my hair turning slightly grayish but would be too discreet telling me so, nicht wahr? [isn't that right?]

I wonder whether all the planned exhibitions will be possible, whether the owners are not already fed up with lending pictures? But one thing is too important. Listen, my dear friend. Without my Thermopylae there cannot be an exhibition of my work meant to be a representative one. I gladly would drop the whole show, without this so important work, the sum of my teaching and painting, I cannot be understood by the young generation, which counts for me as representing the future. Please, do all in your power in order to convince the respective officials. Write to me more often even if I am not able to answer immediately, overworked as I am, just polishing up my stories for publishing them next year besides of doing a portrait.

Love to the beautyfull one, the brats and you, my dear Hodinus, also to Chatinus.

Sincerely yours,

O Kokoschka

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