Footnotes

¹ Receipt of this letter is not recorded in the diary; it was most likely handed to Schenker by Weisse along with the items he gave him during the visit described in the entry for October 9, 1925: “Um 10^h bringt Weisse die Blätter u. noch zwei Kupferdrucke für uns, dann die Rolle für die ‘Musik’. Weisse erzählt, daß die Vorzugsdrucke vergriffen sein, daß die Albertina einen Vorzugsdruck gekauft habe u. nur noch die 35 Schilling-Blätter zu haben seien.” (“At 10 o’clock Weisse brings the prints and, in addition, two copper engravings for us, also the roll for Die Musik. Weisse says that the artist’s proofs are sold out, that the Albertina purchased an artist’s proof and that only the 35-shilling prints are available.”). – Prints had been made available for sale at the art shop of Artaria & Co. Regarding the planned publication of the mezzotint portrait in Die Musik see JOB 94-3, [15].
Before this visit Schenker had sent Weisse, who was serving as a liaison for Hammer, a note of inquiry (diary, October 7, 1925): “An Weisse (K.): auf welche Art die bestellten Bilder zu den Bestellern gelangen werden? – was hat Hammer in bezug auf die ‘Musik’ beschlossen?” (“To Weisse (postcard): how will the pictures that have been ordered reach those who have ordered them? – what has Hammer decided with regard to Die Musik?”). Weisse, in a letter written on the same day (OJ 15/15, [19]), told Schenker of the arrangements he had made shortly before Hammer’s departure for Florence: “Hammer habe ich Ihren Brief [JOB 94-3, [15]] übergeben und ihn noch gesprochen: Er hat wegen Photographen etc. alles veranlaßt und an meine Adresse wissen lassen. Ich komme dann mit Allem zu Ihnen.” (“I have given Hammer your letter [JOB 94-3, [15]] and also spoken to him. He has arranged everything regarding a photographer, etc., and will send things to my address. I will then bring everything to your place.”) Schenker received the letter on the next day (diary, October 8): “Von Weisse (Br.): wird die bestellten Bilder selbst bringen, außerdem die Fotografie für die Musik.” (“From Weisse (letter): he will be bringing the prints that were ordered, and in addition the photograph for Die Musik.”).

² These two prints were a further gift from Hammer to Schenker, adding to those Weisse had brought on October 5; see JOB 94-3, [15].

³ These artists proofs were for Schenker to sell or give away. Among the first pupils to buy them from him were Robert Brünauer (diary, October 5, 9, and November 2, 1925) and Angi Elias (diary, October 6 and 13). The diary and correspondence document the many recipients of the portrait, e.g., Moriz Violin, who wrote (March 13, 1926, OJ 14/45, [111]): “Heute kam Dein Bild! Ich finde es meisterhaft in Ähnlichkeit u. als Kunstwerk. Diese Karte soll Dir nur meine Freude darüber sagen. Alle finden das Werk an sich so außerordentlich. Ich freue mich extra mit der Wahrheit des Ausdrucks.” (“Today your portrait arrived! I find it masterly, as a likeness and as a work of art. This postcard will only communicate my joy about it. Everyone finds the work extraordinary in itself. I am especially pleased with the truthfulness of the expression.”). Walter Dahms, however, had reservations (December 1, 1925, OJ 10/1, [91]): “Gestern traf Ihr Bild ein! . . . und wird nun den schönsten Schmuck meines Zimmers bilden. Wir danken Ihnen beide von Herzen für die Gabe! Das Blatt ist eine bedeutende künstlerische Leistung, ohne Zweifel. Trotzdem habe ich zunächst einen gewissen inneren Widerspruch und Widerstand in mir überwinden müssen, um mich ganz damit zu befreunden. . . . Ich hätte es zunächst weniger symbolisch, sondern lebendiger, – um Gotteswillen nicht ‘gefälliger,’ – aber expansiver, blutvoller gewünscht.” (“Yesterday your portrait arrived! . . . and it will now make the most beautiful decoration to my room. We both thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the gift! The mezzotint is a significant artistic accomplishment, without a doubt. However I have to overcome a certain inner contradiction and resistance in me in order to grow accustomed to it. . . . I would have preferred something less symbolic and more lively, – God forbid not more ‘pleasing,’ – but more expansive, more warm-blooded.”).

Commentary

Format

2p letter, holograph salutation, message, valediction, and signature

Provenance

Schenker, Heinrich (document date-1935)--Schenker, Jeanette (1935-c.1942)--Ratz, Erwin (c.1942-c.1945)--Jonas, Oswald (c.1945-1978)--University of California, Riverside (1978--)

Rights Holder

Heirs and representatives of Viktor Hammer

License

Permission to publish granted by the executor of the estate of Carolyn Reading Hammer October 14, 2013. Any claim to intellectual rights on this document should be addressed to the Schenker Documents Online, at schenkercorrespondence (at) mus (dot) cam (dot) uk

Digital version created: 2023-07-19
Last updated: 2011-02-12