Note on Art

Note on Art

A note from LeRoy Neiman on Ludwig Belemans and their relationships with Hammer Galleries.

This note from LeRoy Neiman concerns his thoughts on artist Ludwig Bemelmans. Both Bemelmans and Neiman were represented by Hammer Galleries. Within the writing, the artist touches on his regard for Belemans as well as presents an image of Neiman filling Belemans’ shoes, with the latter passing immediately prior to the artist’s signing with Hammer. Neiman also notes, when his work faired well commercially, the gallery offered him a Belemans’ collage, in gratitude.

LeRoy Neiman

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

c. 1990-2011

LeRoy Neiman

Property of the LeRoy Neiman Foundation; please consult the organization's archivist for further details.

Notes

Image/jpeg

English

Document

LN_Notes_893

New York (N.Y.) New York

Ludwig Bemelmans – you really hit on a figure who fit niftily into my early Manhattan remembrances (involvements).
Bemelmans was celebrated internationally. Respecting the name personality, and latent I nevertheless kept [?] suggesting and then demanding (that) my work would fit well into that pre-Christmas slot.
Hammer Galleries represented its popular Bemelmans, who for years held (highly marketable reputation) one man the last two weeks of November and the first two weeks of December. They were held as amounted to virtual sales. (Shows) as his sophisticated public stormed the galleries to purchase the world sophisticated art created by such a sophisticated artist.
When Ludwig passed (away) on the gall[ery] [?] Hammer lost no time in offering me
LeRoy Neiman as the vacancy
And (there) presenting me an original Bemelmans collage for filling his shoes sales wise. (Opportunity and) expression of
I show my appreciated for the book you thoughtfully sent fill in on our relationship

Felt-tipped pen on paper.