April 2nd 1943
Dear Richard Eurich,
Forgive my apparent discourtesy in this delay – through over cherishing your letter I seem to have lost it. But that cannot be held altogether my fault; my studio has just been Spring Cleaned, I can find nothing I want.
I am sensible of the compliment implied by your invitation and I want to thank you for writing. But I think you are too optimistic. The election of half a dozen ARAs of rather quicker blood cannot surely turn the habitual sluggish tide.
I would only become part of the Royal Academy on terms they cannot allow – a room, or rooms, set apart devoted to ‘the interlopers’ who would be elected by a special jury ex-Party. Then let the lions lie down with the lambs (provided each is convinced the other is the lamb) – no reflection upon the Honorary Secretary of course – and let the Public visit the British Temple of Art as is their custom in May when, for the first time they will find a representative exhibition of contemporary art Academic and Experimental or whatever you like to call it.
This was the reply I gave Sir William Llewellyn (?) years ago when he suggested ‘I and my party’ or some such phrase should come into the RA. I think he saw the point of the plan but said he could never persuade his better artists to consent.
Regretfully then I must refuse the prospect of fun and games among the octogenarians that you so brightly envisage.
Good luck to you and happy hangings.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Nash