Henry Moore: Sculptural Process and Public Identity

ISBN 978-1-84976-391-2

Henry Moore Postcard to Sir Kenneth and Lady Clark 30 August 1954

In this postcard Henry Moore relays the news of the recent death of the dealer Curt Valentin (1902–1954). German-born Valentin had been Moore’s art dealer in the United States and had given him his first exhibition in New York in 1943. Moore and Valentin became close friends and from 1948 until his death in 1954 Valentin spent every Christmas with the Moores at their home, Hoglands, in Hertfordshire. Moore wrote, ‘He will be a very great loss to the cause of sculpture – in America especially’.

Transcript

[Handwritten:]
KINGSMEAD HOTEL – BROADSTAIRS – KENT. 30/8/54
Dear K and Jane,
Thank you for sending The Romanes Lecture - I’ve enjoyed it immensely, and found it full of interesting ideas, beautifully put.
 I expect you heard that Curt Valentin died, suddenly, while staying with the Marino Marinis. I was very upset – he had become a very close friend. I flew out to Italy to attend the funeral last week. He will be a very great loss to the cause of sculpture – in America especially.
 We are here for our annual seaside holiday, and getting quite good weather.
Love to you all / Henry.
Sir Kenneth and Lady Clark
Saltwood Castle
Nr Hythe
Kent

How to cite

Henry Moore, Postcard to Sir Kenneth and Lady Clark, 30 August 1954, in Henry Moore: Sculptural Process and Public Identity, Tate Research Publication, 2015, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/research-publications/henry-moore/henry-moore-postcard-to-sir-kenneth-and-lady-clark-r1145509, accessed 26 April 2024.