Hugh Ramsay: His Life and Work, by Patricia Fullerton, Hawthorn, Vic. Hudson, 1988.
Images courtesy of the National Gallery of Australia and the Ramsay Archive
Sixteen pages of letters, three drawings and notebook cover from Hugh Ramsay to home from Paris, 1901 - 1902
Ramsay’s Letters from Paris
51 Boulevarde Saint-Jacques, Paris.
My dear auntie,
My luck’s in lately. I have met someone who will be of more help to me than anyone else, namely, Madame Melba.
Madame Melba was just great, and made me tell her all about myself, and how many commissions I had. I quite fell in love with her. And she has promised, quite voluntarily of her own accord, to do everything she can to help me which, coming from such a person, is almost an assurance of success.
My dear Harry,
You ought to see one darning my socks and sewing on things generally. Oh, dear me. Lambert has just told me that I look a really awful sight. A dreadful blighter, he calls one.
My dear, wee Jessie,
So you broke up last Friday did you, Jessie? Did it hurt much? Hope they stuck you together again. I was so glad to hear that you had done so well at school. Fancy you running away with all of those beautiful prizes.
51 Boulevarde Saint-Jacques
Dear Harry, and also Tom,
A boulevard is a very wide street with trees down each side. You see women out in all kinds of weather, with no hats on. In Paris the other day, Lambert and I went on the bus, and he bought two bananas for fourpence, and chewed them walking as proud as Lucifer amongst the toffs. When here I am, squatting over my chocolate roll.
My dear auntie,
Even with time, I don’t seem to get over my fits of longing for Melbourne. If everyone you meet wishes to be remembered to me, please remember me to everyone you meet.
With much love,
From Hugh
Inga Walton on the brief but brilliant life of Hugh Ramsay.
Former NPG Director, Andrew Sayers, explores the creative collaborations between four Australian artists living in Paris during the first years of the twentieth century.
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