THE LATE MR. SARGENT AND THE POST-IMPRESSIONISTS [To the Editor
of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—In January, 1911, a considerable controversy was ex- cited in London by the Exhibition of the Post-Impressionist painters. During the controversy Mr. Sargent wrote to the Nation a letter expressing his opinions. To the best of my belief this was the only letter which Mr. Sargent ever wrote to the Press, so you might like to be reminded of it. It was quoted in the Spectator of January 14th, 1911. Mr. Sargent said that he had declined the invitation of the organizers of the Exhibition to allow his name to be placed on the list of promoters. His reason was as follows : " I do not know the work of the painters to whom the name of Post-Impressionists could be applied ; it certainly does not apply to Manet or Cezanne . . . the fact is that I am absolutely sceptical as to their having any claim whatever to being works of art, with the exception of some of the pictures by Gauguin that strike me as admirable in colour, and in colour only."—I am, Sir, &c.,
LONDONER.
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