Letter from Oskar Kokoschka to J.P. Hodin

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[Translation/transcription]

Villeneuve

24 November 1961

Dearest Master Pepi,

That was a promising letter. I shall put it straight on the table for the new year so that everything pans out just as we would wish. The Kupferberg (gold) will be a serious rival to my whisky if you keep publishing so many books about me. I would be very grateful if you could come over with the publisher (and a few samples) and show me all the books. Then I can show you and the beautyfull one some of the many drawings I made in Greece. It was really beautiful, warm and quiet, no post, no telephone, no newspapers - other than a two page article from a Greek newspaper that I can't read. I was caught out by television crews on two occasions, by Ceram at Olympia and at the temple in Aegina, and even gave an impromptu lecture on beauty in ancient Greece, though it was raining at the time. That was the only time it rained. Otherwise it was sunny right up to our flight. On the day we left I had to do a recording for the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft here. Came out very well, half an hour long, should be on the market by easter, called 'artists tell their life-stories'. Now I'm finishing my painting of Herodotus. Did you see my drawing of the same title on the front cover of the Times Literary Supplement from 13 October? It was quite a coup. The Times is very proud of its reporter Herodotus and they were writing about it in Paris. Now I need to do my third Raimund at the Burgtheater in Vienna. I travel there on 15 January, stay for two weeks, then on to Paris, where I need to have my Greek lithographs printed. Perhaps we could meet there? Maybe March? Then Liverpool, I suppose? Has Chatinus got married without me? I've not heard either way.

I embrace you both, and the children (the witch more ardently of course).

Yours,

OK

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