KELLY (Sir Gerald Festus, 1879-1972, Painter, P.R.A. 1949-1954)

Fine Typed Letter Signed with autograph salutation and subscription, to The President of St John's College, Oxford, Austin LANE POOLE (1889-1963, Mediaevalist, President of St John's College) saying that he is "so glad that you like our Exhibition. I was delighted to receive your invitation and was about to write an enthusiastic acceptance, but alas, it was pointed out to me that I shall be so horribly busy then with the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and the Opening of Dulwich Gallery on the 27th of April that I just would not be able to get to Oxford ..." but thanking him for the invitation, 1 side 8vo., 117 Gloucester Place, Portman Square headed paper, 28th April

Kelly was a favourite painter of the Royal Family. He was elected to the Royal Academy in 1930, was the Academy's Keeper from 1943–45, and served as its President from 1949–54. Kelly held a number of official positions, such as his membership of the Royal Fine Arts Commission, 1938–43, and was knighted in 1945. The artist John Napper (1916–2001) worked as his assistant. In 1950 he was elected to the National Academy of Design as an Honorary Corresponding Academician.

Item Date:  1953

Stock No:  40773      £125

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