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Letter to J. Blankfard Martenet with a Drawing of People Sitting on Benches in a Park - Image 1
Letter to J. Blankfard Martenet with a Drawing of People Sitting on Benches in a Park - Image 2

Matsumi Kanemitsu

Letter to J. Blankfard Martenet with a Drawing of People Sitting on Benches in a Park

1951

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Matsumi Kanemitsu

Letter to J. Blankfard Martenet with a Drawing of People Sitting on Benches in a Park

1951

Physical Qualities Pen and brush and black ink and wash on paper, Sheet: 223 × 104 mm. (8 3/4 × 4 1/8 in.)
Credit Line Bequest of J. Blankfard Martenet
Object Number 2012.711.110
Along with a small panel painting and a miniature pen drawing, this case contains examples of correspondence Kanemitsu sent to Martenet upon his move to New York City. Snippets of text convey seasonal greetings while drawings of real and imagined subjects share insights into Kanemitsu’s life and mind in his new surroundings.
Matsumi Kanemitsu: Figure and Fantasy

Inscribed: (letter) Recto: across top (above drawing), in black ink: "May 14 1952 / Dear Marty, / This is just note to let you know that / Im O.K. and working very hard. doing better / drawing + printing. I just come back / from Kuniyoshi studio so before I start / to painting I let you know TA-KE / find the girl dog friend He is love sick/ Helen is working office. nite she paints/ I'm going to send 4 drawings to the arts institute of Chicago (Chicago) for INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION; across bottom (below drawing), in black ink: "oF CONTEMPORARY DRAWINGS SHOW, I hope to / getting. How is everything with you? Love Matsumi. / P.S. / is Zora Metyler had baby yet? I / haven't hear from Karl for so-long"; Verso: none

Markings: (envelope): Recto: upper right, post office stamp in black ink: "New York 7, N.Y. 1952 / May 14 / 9:30 PM; upper right, post office stamp in black ink: "IN THE SPIRIT OF PAUL REVE[RE]"; Verso: none (letter): None

Artist

Matsumi Kanemitsu

1921–1991

born Odgen, UT 1922; died Los Angeles, CA 1992
Meet Matsumi →

Explore the Collection Further

Matsumi Kanemitsu
Woman Holding Up Her Head
1949
Edouard Frère
Sitting Room for Old People at the Salpétrière, Paris
1862
Matsumi Kanemitsu
Happy Season
1951
Aaron Sopher
Studies of People at the Park
1924–1956
Matsumi Kanemitsu
Group of People in Various Poses
1951
Aaron Sopher
Woman Standing, People Sitting (recto); Street Scene (verso)
1924–1956
Matsumi Kanemitsu
The Eye
1951
Emile Boilvin
Soldier, Nurse and Child Sitting on Park Bench
1864–1898
Matsumi Kanemitsu
Home Sweet Home
1953
Honoré Daumier
Yes sir, in exchange for a small premium with our insurance, you can be assured for death....for death in a proper gentlemanly manner. When you go off in a fine hearse, very comfortable, to be mourned by the poor people of the district, and leaving an inconsolable widow in golden letters on your grave.... - And if you don't keep your promises? - Then you can still give us a receipt and sue us before a tribunal.
1837
Matsumi Kanemitsu
Man and Woman in Front of a Fence
1950
Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany Studios
"Grapevine" Letter Holder
1904–1914