Description

8vo and oblong 8vo. Altogether 8 pp. on 5 ff. With 4 autogr. envelopes. Intimate, longing missives to Antonia Mangelmann, probably a former model or student of Kokoschka's at his Salzburg Summer Academy: "You have proven to me a dedication, truly limitless for a mother, in this, your possibly finest letter; do not be angry if the Swan proves human in his desire to embrace you in thanks for all that you keep so close to my imagination that I was overjoyed all day, so very happy. How sweet are your two hearts, and how beautiful your two bodies, such harmony of earthly forms and divine souls was known only to Greek antiquity, and I confess frankly that I return to Salzburg on your behalf alone. To have to leave such wonderful sweetness! for soon I shall have to die, a fate which I find it hard to get used to! That there shall be a wall between the three of us, that the world of shadows shall remove me forever, while you and Inge strew like buds your charm and love beneath the sky, in the light of day and the star's nightly gleam, this hurts me as my love hurts me but still keeps alive / your Oskar" (translation). The reverse of this undated letter shows a sketch of three embracing persons, inscribed "for dear Antonia / variation on our theme / by OK". The persons depicted are apparently Antonia, her daughter Inge, and Kokoschka himself. - All letters with printed letterhead. Includes 11 pp. of responding letters.