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Royall Tyler to Robert Woods Bliss, February 29, 1936

Finance Ministry

Budapest

29.II.36

Dear Robert.

I found a letter from Bill here today, enclosing this photographThis photograph was not retained with the letter. of a still-life attributed to Zurbaran,Probably Juan de Zurbarán (1620–1649), a Spanish still-life painter and the son of the painter Francisco de Zurbarán (1598–1664). which is at Knoedlers, N.Y.,M. Knoedler & Co, an art dealership at 556 Fifth Avenue in New York City that was founded in 1846 and closed in 2011. It was one of the oldest art dealerships in the United States, having been in operation for 165 years. and which KnoedlerIt is unclear to whom Royall Tyler refers. The last Knoedler associated with the firm was Roland Knoedler (1856–1932). asked Bill to see, apparently at Paul Sachs’ suggestion. Bill says it is quite lovely. It reminds me of the still-life at Kieff,Still Life with Chocolate Service, Museum of Western and Oriental Art, Kiev. During a cleaning of this painting in 1938, Juan de Zurbarán’s signature and the date 1640 were revealed. also said to be a Zurbaran, about which I spoke to you at Vienna. Curious coincidence.

You might like to look at it when you go to N.Y.

Bill would much like to have the photo back. He says nothing about Knoedler’s demands.

I hope for further news soon about Mildred.Mildred Bliss had become been very ill with pneumonia in Prague sometime in mid-February 1936. See Edith Wharton to Beatrix Jones Farrand, April 4, 1936, Edith Wharton Collection, Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

Much love to you both.

Yrs

R. T.

 
Associated People: Paul J. Sachs; William Royall Tyler
Associated Places: Budapest (Hungary)