Lot 1858
GEORGE RUSSELL, "AE" (1867-1935)
TWO GIRLS AND CHILD WADING
Signed Æ in ligature lower left, oil on canvas
52 x 80.5m.
Provenance: Mrs Annabel Huth Jackson, by whom purchased from the artist, March 1919; and thence by direct descent
* Russell invariably signed his work with the unusual Æ monogram, shortened from the word Æon (simultaneously the mortal incarnation of the `Word of God` and the representation of the immortal self) and meaning `the lifelong quest of mankind`. This reflected his great interest in mysticism and the metaphysical philosophies, glimpses of which he addressed in a letter to the purchaser of this picture.
In a letter to Mrs Annabel Huth Jackson, dated March 29th 1919 and acknowledging receipt of £31.10.0 for three pictures, Russell writes "Might I suggest that the two grey coloured pictures were intended to be framed in a kind of cream, almost white, flat frame as it by the white or pale cream that the local colour of the picture can best be thrown out and that they should have glass over them." With timid self-effacement, he added "I hope they will not prove too tiresome a possession."
Subsequently, on about April 4th 1919, he wrote again to Mrs Huth Jackson about the recommended frame colour and size: ".. to be framed in pale cream enamel almost white in a flat frame about 3 1/2 inches and the pale colours will come out ever so much better than in the conventional gold frame. I think the picture of the two girls and child wading ought to have glass over it because it was painted on a very rough canvas which I got during the year when I could get no other in Dublin and dust lodges easily on the rough surface and is difficult to get out..". Russell added modestly, presumably in response to a request about meeting his patron, "I am afraid I would be a very disappointing person to meet, most literary men are as they are really nothing except at the moment a spirit blows through them and when it is silent they are just like everybody else and they put on airs and try to look inspired when they are not they are ridiculous." On a theosophical note, he observes that "All our superficial life is unreal, a mere mask through which now and then some reality deep within us speaks and our masks are not of much importance. I believe you and I have some kind of spiritual contact, while we live and after with all who are spiritually akin to us whether we see them or not...You say you know me. Probably you do. My intention as I write is that I could write almost anything to you but that you would know it all already. ...I believe you and I have some kind of spiritual contact, while we live and after with all who are spiritually akin to us whether we see them or not... I would rather believe in the inheritance of the spirit than have millions of physical forms made inanimate."
