Letter from Oskar Kokoschka to J.P. Hodin

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[Translation/transcription]

1. April

My dear Dr. Hodin

My sincerest thanks for having sent the 'Konst-Review' with your fine article spending the attention to my humanistic preferences which were fundamental once in art everywhere - before the fire was out in humanity. I was brooding for hours over the illustrations, was longing to be where I painted the pictures! All for that miserable solitude which is enforced to-day on nearly every creative personality - inter arma umsae silent - neverwhere more chance for such silly platitudes to go round and make new proselytes! I have a rubber-stamp ordered for being used on the backside of my pictures in all future. The print says: O. K. This signature has never been dishonoured like all those on treasure-bills in all countries I left. I secretly hope the day will come when even the directors of this museums which now sell the degenerated painter's works will have to come to ask my authentical stamp to enable them to trade with my work successfully; as trading, bartering, profiteering that is what is left of her attachment to art now.

Refering to your kind offers, dear Dr. Hodin, I would be only too happy to have the show at Gotheborg and please do tell the director there that it should be tried from his place. I think the permission to send pictures to Sweden would be easily to obtain through the Swedish consulate in London who can explain matters directly to the English authority while I, as an unknown, expulsed painter wouldn't be heard at all! Regulations during war simply forbid to send landscapes, water-colours etc. out of the country. May-be the Mathissen Gallery in Stockholm (a branch of the same art-gallery in London, Bond-Street) would like to make the necessary steps, art-dealers are always in a somehow higher position as the-mere painters, unfortunately everywhere! There are two pictures with rocks, sea, gulls and about 12 water-colours with the same views in different moods, lights and technique. My usual size. I would be only to glad to have the possibility by being accepted in your galleries, in case of calamity. It is about a fortnight that I write you about my play, but my letter seems to have got lost, the same with yours which you mentioned to have sent, accompanied by one from my brother? Please kindly send a copie of the art-review with your article and illustrations to Miss Damaris Brunow, Helsinky, 4B Brunnsparken. The lady in question is a old wonderful friend of mine and surely will be cheered up, after all this dispairing events in her country, to hear something from me - better about me and my work to be offered as a distraction! I hope to hear from you as soon as possible. You must know, my dear friend, that I am very isolated, and in need of a spiritual echo to feel human warmth for my very existence as an artist.

All luck to you - hope to see you.

Sincerely,

OK

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