Item #96028 An autograph letter signed to 'Dear Mrs Wholahan'; quarto, two pages, Ambleside [Hahndorf], Sunday (undated, probably 1930s, but not later than 1936 when Ambleside reverted to its original name); creased where folded for posting; in fine condition. After arrangements for an impending visit are discussed, Heysen writes 'It is good to feel someone has a heart for the Struggling Art Student... I shall be very glad to fulfill the position of Trustee ... The time is still fresh in my memory when I felt the need of a "leg-up", and lucky for me it came, and just at the right time, when my mind was most receptive and I could paint & study with peace in my heart'. Sir Hans HEYSEN.

HEYSEN, Sir Hans (1877-1968)

An autograph letter signed to 'Dear Mrs Wholahan'; quarto, two pages, Ambleside [Hahndorf], Sunday (undated, probably 1930s, but not later than 1936 when Ambleside reverted to its original name); creased where folded for posting; in fine condition. After arrangements for an impending visit are discussed, Heysen writes 'It is good to feel someone has a heart for the Struggling Art Student... I shall be very glad to fulfill the position of Trustee ... The time is still fresh in my memory when I felt the need of a "leg-up", and lucky for me it came, and just at the right time, when my mind was most receptive and I could paint & study with peace in my heart'

The artist and arts benefactor Elizabeth Maud Wholohan, née Vizard (1875-1950) was a lifelong friend of Hans Heysen, exhibiting with him at an early age. On her death she bequeathed a substantial sum of money to establish the Maud Wholohan-Vizard Art Prize, awarded first in 1957. Offered together with two not-unrelated newspaper cuttings.