![MORRELL, Ottoline (1873-1938). 11 autograph letters signed and one autograph postcard signed ('OM', 'Ottoline' or 'Ottoline Morrell') to Mark Gertler, Garsington Manor, 15 Vale Avenue, Chelsea, and Sherwood Park Clinic, Tunbridge Wells, [?1917 to 1938], together 32 pages, large 8vo and postcard 8vo.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2006/CSK/2006_CSK_04074_0098_000(010053).jpg?w=1)
Details
MORRELL, Ottoline (1873-1938). 11 autograph letters signed and one autograph postcard signed ('OM', 'Ottoline' or 'Ottoline Morrell') to Mark Gertler, Garsington Manor, 15 Vale Avenue, Chelsea, and Sherwood Park Clinic, Tunbridge Wells, [?1917 to 1938], together 32 pages, large 8vo and postcard 8vo.
A lively and revealing series of letters in which Ottoline paints a vivid picture of life at Garsington, the Bloomsbury set, and her friendship with the portrait painter Mark Gertler. A legendary hostess, her correspondence gives accounts of parties at the celebrated Garsington Manor, 'we had a huge Melée... a long "stand" of Motors outside, & a perpetual stream across the Lawn... it would have reinstated my character with the arch snob Diaghi - for Princess Bibesco came, also The Danish Ambassador... & Troops of lovely young Ladies fr Oxford ditto young men...'. Ottoline's draw as literary hostess is apparent - she has 'heard from the young man you & I liked, about Keats Shelly & poetry in general' and from 'my "pick up" in the Train ... all kinds of possibilities of Liasons are on "the Tapis" and perhaps ... you may find them clustering round the autumn fire'. Daily life at Garsington during wartime seems idyllic, Ottoline counting her blessings, 'I rid like a Cinema Heroine on Polly & dash across fields...'; in contrast with her own spiritual concerns and fears, 'Life & friendships & The World & Nature... one is almost frightened by the Truth'.
Ottoline's letters are peppered with observations of literary and artistic figures, with mention of Dorothy Brett, her 'lover Mr Green', Dora Carrington, Violet Bonham-Carter, Gilbert [Spencer], the Bussys, Lady Strachey, [Goldworthy] Lowes Dickinson, praise for Gaudier Breska's work, 'Bloomsbury Bertie's Trial' and his life in prison (Bertrand Russell was sentenced in 1918 for prejudicing Britain's relations with America), the death of Robbie Ross, the Russian Ballet and sympathy for 'poor little Lopokova', and her meeting with 'Picasso [who] sat next to me - & I loved him so full of humour & quickness. I wish he could see your work - do write & ask him - for really he would like it - He finds most English painting so sweet & "pretty".'
Throughout is Ottoline's concern for Gertler's health, encouragement of his work and constant affirmations of their friendship (it means so much to me to be able to get in Contact with anyone that I like.. I really do get into communion with you ... we have an "understanding" together'). She consoles him in the face of rejection by Dora Carrington, who she describes as 'some strange wild beast - greedy of Life - & of tasting all the different "worms" that she can find - without giving herself to any mate'. Gertler's relationship with Dora was the inspiration for Gilbert Cannan's novel Mendel.
and: Mark GERTLER (1891-1939) autograph letter signed to Philip [Morrell], Nordrach-on-Dee, Banchory, 17 February 1921, 4 pages, 8vo, on Italy, his exhibition, 'Ottoline's "inexhaustible enthusiasm"' and her visit to the Pope. (12)
A lively and revealing series of letters in which Ottoline paints a vivid picture of life at Garsington, the Bloomsbury set, and her friendship with the portrait painter Mark Gertler. A legendary hostess, her correspondence gives accounts of parties at the celebrated Garsington Manor, 'we had a huge Melée... a long "stand" of Motors outside, & a perpetual stream across the Lawn... it would have reinstated my character with the arch snob Diaghi - for Princess Bibesco came, also The Danish Ambassador... & Troops of lovely young Ladies fr Oxford ditto young men...'. Ottoline's draw as literary hostess is apparent - she has 'heard from the young man you & I liked, about Keats Shelly & poetry in general' and from 'my "pick up" in the Train ... all kinds of possibilities of Liasons are on "the Tapis" and perhaps ... you may find them clustering round the autumn fire'. Daily life at Garsington during wartime seems idyllic, Ottoline counting her blessings, 'I rid like a Cinema Heroine on Polly & dash across fields...'; in contrast with her own spiritual concerns and fears, 'Life & friendships & The World & Nature... one is almost frightened by the Truth'.
Ottoline's letters are peppered with observations of literary and artistic figures, with mention of Dorothy Brett, her 'lover Mr Green', Dora Carrington, Violet Bonham-Carter, Gilbert [Spencer], the Bussys, Lady Strachey, [Goldworthy] Lowes Dickinson, praise for Gaudier Breska's work, 'Bloomsbury Bertie's Trial' and his life in prison (Bertrand Russell was sentenced in 1918 for prejudicing Britain's relations with America), the death of Robbie Ross, the Russian Ballet and sympathy for 'poor little Lopokova', and her meeting with 'Picasso [who] sat next to me - & I loved him so full of humour & quickness. I wish he could see your work - do write & ask him - for really he would like it - He finds most English painting so sweet & "pretty".'
Throughout is Ottoline's concern for Gertler's health, encouragement of his work and constant affirmations of their friendship (it means so much to me to be able to get in Contact with anyone that I like.. I really do get into communion with you ... we have an "understanding" together'). She consoles him in the face of rejection by Dora Carrington, who she describes as 'some strange wild beast - greedy of Life - & of tasting all the different "worms" that she can find - without giving herself to any mate'. Gertler's relationship with Dora was the inspiration for Gilbert Cannan's novel Mendel.
and: Mark GERTLER (1891-1939) autograph letter signed to Philip [Morrell], Nordrach-on-Dee, Banchory, 17 February 1921, 4 pages, 8vo, on Italy, his exhibition, 'Ottoline's "inexhaustible enthusiasm"' and her visit to the Pope. (12)
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