August 15, 2010
Mandy Cruickshank
USA |
Q A wonderful site!
I found the Van Gogh section to be highly useful as it
clearly shows brush strokes and palette. May I ask if
there are any plans for more Van Gogh please? We bought
a badly-described painting from an auction in France
last year that is a 19th century oil painting of the
Crau but a version of the one he called Peach Trees in
Blossom. The back has hand writing on the piece
of wood and when I looked at the photo of the back of
the 2nd bedroom one he did, that the VG Museum were
restoring, I could see and identical back - with
handwriting too! They were also cleaning off some yellowy
varnish which ours also has. So interesting. If you
would like to have a look at a photo of it I would be
delighted to email you one?
Also, I don't know if this is of any interest to you but
we also have managed to acquire a portrait of Vincent
that was drawn in pastels by an artist neighbour of his
when he was on Rue Laval (which changed it's name to Rue
Victor Massé) in Paris. They lived just 4 doors apart.
Again it was badly described and we paid low for it but
it is truly amazing! It shows so many things about him,
including the Bible he painted and the crumpled top hat
he sketched. Even his boots could be the ones he
painted? His quill is in the background (when everyone
else was using pens) and his trousers are rolled up like
Dutch workers'. If you would like to see a photo of this
too and even include either of
them on your site you are welcome to. It is all so very
interesting and it would be great for other people to be
able to see them. Please do let me know what you think.
Thanks again for your great site!
A
For expertise you
should contact the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
Q Thank you for the
reply. We have indeed contacted the Van Gogh Museum who
are looking at the photos of both pictures now. The
portrait is what it is - a portrait of Van Gogh by his
neighbour Jeanne Donnadieu. The other one needs
authenticating but at the moment we can find no
reason to doubt it's authenticity as it is most
definitely a 19th century oil and it is most definitely
the Crau, Peach Trees in Blossom. The back is the same
as his bedroom painting. Who copied him
back then? If this isn't truly him then it is the most
incredible fake I have seen and I have spent the last
year and a half living Vincent Van Gogh, staring day
after day at each of his paintings, staring at
fakes, and even went to the exhibition in London where I
was able to stand nose close to his paintings....for
which I was severely told off for!! This is why I have
loved looking at your close up photos of his art. I
still continue my research and refer to colours,
technique, impasto etc
etc etc. You know how it is? I virtually have van Gogh
vision now! :-)
Anyway, the reason I contacted you
was to see if you wanted to have a look or even put
photos onto your site with the information we have
acquired so that people can enjoy the curiosity of it?
The portrait is no in dispute but The Crau one is. It
would be such an exciting thing for people to wait it
out alongside us, for the results. People may also throw
in some remarks or input of some kind that could help?
It is all so interesting! So please do let me know. I
can send you photos and details. It is fun sharing these
things with people who care and are passionate about
such subjects too.
A Sure, you
can send
us the photos of the pastel, we are curious to see the
artwork of the French female artist Jeanne Donnadieu.
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Q Here is the
portrait. We recognised it as being Vincent but
it was only sold as a 19th Century pastel of a
man.
A
The pastel seems to be an original artwork by
the artist Jeanne Donnadieu. If you ever
get the result, the question if it shows Van
Gogh, let us know.
Thank you for sharing your photos.
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July 28, 2010
Pam Schwartz
USA |
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July 15, 2010
Sue Johnston
USA |
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Q June 28,
2010
Larry Colbert
USA |
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June 27, 2010
Sam Garcia
USA |
I think you've done a good thing by building your site--I, for one,
would have been completely ignorant of this artist had I not stumbled
upon your site. Thanks--I enjoyed this artist's work and am pleased to have discovered
it via your dedicated activities. Sam Garcia
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Q
June 26, 2010
Tom
van Heel
Nederland/ Haarlem |
Goedendag. Ik geniet regelmatig van
deze website. Het zou wellicht een goede aanvulling zijn
indien U een biografie over de kunstenaar in het
Nederlands publiceert voor de niet Engelstaligen onder
ons :-). Bent U dat van plan? Mijn dank, Tom.
A
In het diepe najaar van 2010 wordt
de biografie in het Nederlands gepubliceerd!
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June 1, 2010
Stéphanie Cedrone
France |
Merci pour votre site, si riche et
complet, qui m'a permis de découvrir un grand artiste !
Tous ces dessins et peintures inspirés du monde entier
sont un vrai plaisir pour les yeux... T.F. Simon
mériterait en effet d'être plus connu !Je ne peux que
vous souhaiter une bonne continuation pour votre superbe
site :). Cordialement, Stéphanie
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Q
May 28, 2010
Branko Zivadinovic
Serbia
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Thanks to your site, I am delighted
to have found out that I am a proud owner of one
of T. F. Simon's graphics. It is listed under no. 305.
Convalescent. His red logo is
in the lower left corner, and pencil signed on the right
hand side. I would be grateful
if you could let me know how many copies were made.
Your web site is excellent. Keep up with good work !
Thank you, Branko Zivadinovic
A
Dear Branko. As noticed in the
Catalogue Raisonné 10 copies were published in private
by the artist, and an unknown number of copies were
published in Art magazine Hollar. Yours is rare: signed
in pencil and the logo in red.
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May 20, 2010
Abe
Brazil
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Hello. I´m just writing to say thank
you from Brazil :)
This site is for sure one of the best about an artist.
Thank you again. |
May 19, 2010
Georges Lévy
Israël |
Je vous remercie, moi simple
passant, de m'avoir fait découvrir ce Génie de la Litho
et de m'avoir ainsi gratifié de ce grand bonheur que
l'on éprouve devant la beauté de l'oeuvre prolixe de T.F.
Simon.
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Q
May 4, 2010
Jeanie
Oliver
USA |
Hello, I have an original etching
from T.F. it is called Tropical Wood. There is a card
paper clipped to it that reads: an original etching, the
entire edition of which has been published only for the
friends of Rudolf Lesch fine arts. This piece is in
excellent condition it appears to be on 8x10 paper with
a border that indents into the paper, by the artists
hand it is signed. Can anyone tell me what the value of
something like this would be or whom of interest? I
would be happy to send a picture of it. Thank you.
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PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS
INFORMATION REGARDING TROPICAL WOOD BY T.F.SIMON. I HAVE THE ETCHING AND WOULD LIKE
TO KNOW HOW MANY PRINTS WERE MADE, WHERE IT
WAS DRAWN, ANY INFO. WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU, JEANIE.
(June 28. This print
is sold by Jeanie in the meantime). |
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April 12, 2010
Pavel Novotný
Czech rep.
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Hi,
comment on the picture "Helmovy mlýny" is not correct.
On the picture is north part of the houses 1225 and 1226
in Barvírská
ulice (houses from 14.th. century do not exist anymore
and river bed of Vltava is now
aprox. 150 m northern) - On the recent map see (park)
eastern part of street
Lannova (between Barvírská and Holbova str.).
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Novak 86, 1908.
Right part of Šimon´s picture shows "Nové
mlýny ", on your map Nr. 1242 (Baborský mlýn
and Veselský mlýn) - also today it does not exist anymore - now western part of park Lannova front
of Post stamp Museum....Thank you for the very nice
web presentation.
Dear Pavel Novotny,
Cordial thanks for the identification of
the exact location of this picture. The correct
comment has been added to the
page with the comparison photos
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April 2, 2010
Rachel
England
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A wonderful and prolific artist,
unknown to me until now.
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April 2, 2010
Nick Higbee
UK
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I recently bought a copy of
Oriental Sketches at auction and since then have
become very interested in his work. Fantastic
web site !
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Q
March 21, 2010
Brad Cowen
USA
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I have a T.F Simon print number 906,
signed and on the back there is a label that says "On
the Canal-Amsterdam", original etching by T.F Simon. My
mother in law received it from her mother some time ago
and my wife had it placed in a new frame. Can someone
tell me if this is a desirable piece. It is hanging in
my living room now and I really like it. I have looked
at other Simons and I like his work. Thanks for any info
you can share.
A
Dear Brad Cowen. It is a pleasure
to receive your message, but please can you send us a
digital image of the artwork you have to identify which
Simon print it is. We need to verify the print and
'number 906' that you mention.
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Thank you
for the image. In the Catalogue Raisonné you
can find that this print is listed as N117/
year 1909. Title: Old Houses in Amsterdam.
It is an original etching and printed in an
edition of 150 prints. The artwork is signed
in pencil T. F. Simon, numbered 109. The
location in Amsterdam is: Oudezijds
Achterburgwal, in the center of the oldest
part of the city. |
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Q March 20, 2010
Yann Farinaux
Le Sidaner
France
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May I tell you all my pleasure to
discover your magnificent Imaginary Web
Museum, the richest website I ever seen about an
artist.
As the great-grand-son of the painter Henri Le Sidaner,
and the author of the Catalogue Raisonné Le
Sidaner-L’Oeuvre peint et gravé edited in 1989, I am
currently publishing Paysages Intimes, a
comprehensive book on Henri Le Sidaner. This very rich
book is organized with 22 chapters, each one being a
place the artist has painted and loved. It will take us
on journey through older France and towards further
landscapes he cherished.
I relate the
journey Le Sidaner made to Prague (with the writer
Camille Mauclair) in May 1907. Auguste Rodin told them:
« Allez-y. Vous verrez, ils nous aiment. »The
society Manes had offered to the painter an exhibition
shared with the Sculptor, Louis Dejean.
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They were so happy to be
so welcomed. « Les tableaux sont placés dans un
cadre charmant
», wrote Le Sidaner to his
friend Duhem,
«
nous avons été reçus avec Mauclair comme des
ministres. Nous voyageons toute la journée en voiture
municipale, visite de la ville, musée, théâtre, musique
de chambre, banquet ! Tout cela me fait supposer que je
suis devenu vieux, je ne veux jamais le croire. »
Mauclair wrote they met in Prague
artists like T.F. Simon, Boettinger, Preisler, Svabinsky,
Kafka, Strimpl… « Tous des artistes généreux
aimant la France. »
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I was happily surprised to discover in
your website, a portrait of my great-grand-father by
Hugo Boettinger, and another drawing showing Mauclair. I
have another little portrait Boettinger offered to Le
Sidaner. My publisher has it now. I will ask him this
Monday to send me a scan for you. May I ask you if the Boettinger’s drawings could offer more memories of their
encounter? Or if you know any other source which could
describe their relations?
I have some photographies showing
Strimpl and his wife in Le Sidaner’s garden in Gerberoy.
Would you know if any other Czech artist went in
Gerberoy?
A
Dear Yann Fariaux Le Sidaner. It is an honour
to receive a message from the
great-grandson of the
French painter Henri Le Sidaner.
The impressive exhibition in
1902 of August Rodin's artworks, 88 sculptures and 75
drawings, was hold shortly before the Society Manes
organized an exhibition with French art of painters as
Bernard and Le Sidaner. The Czech artist Josef Maratka
was a pupil of Rodin, he and Alfons Mucha were able to
push Rodin to show his sculptures in Prague and even in other
places in the country. Several articles by the author
Camille Mauclair were published (translated) in the art magazine
'Volny Smery' starting 20th century. Max Svabinsky's album 'Summer' with etchings includes a
preface by Mauclair. This artist made a portrait
(drawing) of Rodin in 1902.
The exhibition in Prague of
Le Sidaner shared with Dejean was hold in 1907. One issue of Volny
Smery,1907 XXII, is totally dedicated to this exhibition.
It must have been a real happening when Mauclair and Le Sidaner arrived in Prague, welcomed with great enthusiasm by their
colleagues. It is interesting to know you are preparing
the chapter for your book dedicated to Le Sidaner's
journey to Prague.
The two drawings by Hugo Boettinger (1880-1934) of
'Henry le Sidaner' (chalk, 1907-16,4x10,8cm) and
'arrival of Camille Mauclair in Prague' (pencil, 1907- 33,5x24,9cm) were both exhibited in Prague in 1958
(National Gallery), where an extended exhibition of 225
artworks by the artist was organized. Boettinger had
contact within the circle of visual arts, music, and
literature.
-Unfortunately other artworks by the artist or sources are not known to us that could offer
memories of the encounter of Le Sidaner. Maybe you
should find correspondences of Czech artists in Prague
in the archives.
There are no records known to us if other Czech artists
went in Gerberoy.
We are looking forward with great curiosity to receive the image of
the portrait by Hugo Boettinger that was offered by him
to Le Sidaner.
If someone who reads this message
has information on Czech artists who went in Gerberoy or
sources that shows memories of the encounter of Le
Sidaner please let us know.
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March 20, 2010
Henk van de Merwe
The Netherlands
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As a pure amateur, I was really happy
to come across TF. Simon last year, where I could use
his paintings and drawings in a fanfic-project. A virtual
journey from Paris to Amsterdam, which was very
inspiring and educating, thanks to this website.
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March 2, 2010
John
Waldman, M.D.
USA
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I am sincerely grateful to all those
that participated in the creation of this wonderful
website as well as those readers who responded so
thoughtfully and individually. My admiring comments
about this great artist would be a regurgitation of what
has already been said, except perhaps to say that his
graphic images, mainly of Paris, remind us of a
civilization now long past, and which, despite its own
imperfections, was a sincere and glorious one.
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February 28, 2010
Raymond
Siebesma
The Netherlands
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Hi, I am the webmaster from
http://Vincent-van-Gogh.Beginthier.nl .
I have gladly added your Internet website to our
directory, and would appreciate it if you also will give
a text back link towards my page. Thank you kindly for
your effort.
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Q
February 28, 2010
Donald Rhodes
USA |
I have 2 T.F. Simon prints, one is
#114 and the other is #107. They are signed T.F. Simon
in the lower right corner, and E. Jacobs in the lower
left corner. Above Jacobs name they are marked re-proof.
Above Simons name one is stamped Campbell Art Company.
What does re-proof mean, and why are there 2 signatures?
I am sure as thorough as this site is you will surely
be able to answer my question. p.s. does thing make them
any more or less desirable, or does it matter? Thanks in
advance, Don
A
Dear Donald Rhodes. A re-proof print is printed from a metal plate (the etched and engraved surface upon
which the image is made) and while the paper upon which the image is
transferred is still wet and the ink is also still wet, that “proof”
is run back through the press with another piece of paper on top of
it. The resulting re-transfer causes the mirror image to be flipped
and appear exactly the same as the image on the original engraved
plate.
E.Jacobi probably was the author of the copy, whose
signature is in the left corner. Maybe someone who
reads this message, can give us the answer about that
mysterious signature.
There have been made we presume quite a number of
facsimiles of Simons prints, as we received several
photos of prints like yours, signed Jacobi or E.Jacobi,
copied in the 20's and 30's of the last century.
Mostly with this re-proof process the
signature of the artist has been copied as well. Re-proof prints are less desirable.
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February 13, 2010
Clem Egan
USA
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A Simon print*) hung in my mother's living room for over
fifty years and none of us knew anything about it. I
took it to
Antiques Roadshow in Palm Springs
and they identified it as a
Simon, which led me to this excellent website. What a
marvellous artist - I hope in years to come he'll be more
widely known. Thank you so much for all your hard work;
it's rare to find such a comprehensive and
well-organized site.
*) Soup Kitchen in Paris executed in 1927
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February 9, 2010
Hannes Keller
Switzerland
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You did great work to enrich the
world in which we live.
It is as if I was strolling through a
great landscape together with T.F. Simon, looking around
and wondering about many things, talking about this and
that. A joyful day with good feelings!
http://visipix.dynalias.com/sites-en/arthighlights/
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January 29, 2010
John Geller
USA
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I found this site extremely helpful
in my research of a signed print I have of TF Simon.
The
signature information on this website was what first
identified the print.
It was also very nice that email to the "contact" were
promptly answered with expert information.
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January 20, 2010
Dyan
Law
USA
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I'm a fine artist and art educator
living in Pennsylvania, USA and also the PA State
Ambassador of the Portrait Society of America. My love
of beautiful portrait work and other rich subject
matter, is exemplified on this most amazing website. I
am fortunate to learn more about the work of T.F. Simon
and have growing appreciation of the Czech artists as a
whole. How very inspiring to observe such "proficiency
and passion" from the works and those who have assembled
this site for all to enjoy! Thank you.
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January 16, 2010
Veit Feger
Germany |
Meine
herzliche Bewunderung für diese Ihre fabelhafte Website!
In ihr steckt ungeheuer viel Arbeit - und Respekt vor
der Arbeit des böhmischen Künstlers Simon.
Für mich ist diese Site auch deshalb sehr interessant,
weil sie nacherleben und erkennen lässt, wie sehr
bestimmte Kunststile zu einer bestimmten Zeit in der
abendländischen Kultur gewissermaßen universell waren,
in "kleinen" Ländern nicht anders als in (kunstgeschichtlich
viel eher behandelten) Ländern wie Frankreich, England,
Deutschland.
Ich denke: Es war ein zwar spätes, aber doch auch großes
Glück für Simon, dass er eine solch engagierte
Promulgatorin seines Oevres bekommen hat.
Mit Dank, Bewunderung, Respekt:
Veit Feger.
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January 10, 2010
Bill Barkeley
USA
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My
grandmother Olga Šimon Barkeley died last Wednesday at
the age of 102. Sadly, it was not until the funeral
yesterday that I found out that her father was the
brother of Tavik if I have the information correct. My
grandmother had 3 of his lithographs over her sofa for
over 50 yrs and we never really knew until she mentioned
the story of his visits to Detroit 2x in the early 20th
century. The work is impressive and hard to believe that
we have such a close connection to him. We will be
looking for some art to acquire. My wife and I love
bridges and are wondering if there is any of his work of
San Francisco out there. It holds a special place in our
hearts as one of our homes and we'd love to have
something done by him. Thanks for the wonderful web site
we learned so much!
A
Dear
Bill Barkeley: Antonin František
Šimon
(*Železnice
01-01-1867) was the eldest brother of the artist who emigrated to the U.S.A. in the early 20th century and lived in Detroit with his
family.
April
2, 2010.
After we compared file details on Antonin Simon with Mr. Barkeley's
information, we can
conclude that the father of Olga Simon was not Tavik's
brother, although they have the same name.
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January 4, 2010
Zbynêk Svoboda
Czechia |
I found
this website several years ago and since then I have
spent many happy hours reading articles and looking at
the incomparable catalog of graphical artworks by TFS.
What a treasure for a collector or just a fan! Who can
really imagine the time and effort necessary to create
this? Many thanks again, Catharine!
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December 29,
2009
Ed Schneider
USA
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Catharine, you've provided
the world with a wonderful website, sharing the
brilliance of Šimon with us all.
Thanks.
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December 29,
2009
Quay Brothers
England/London |
We are writing to you [thanks
to our dear friend Brian Banks] to compliment you [and
your team] on your fabulous work on T.F. Šimon . We were
lamentably and shamefully unaware of his work and my
brother and I tend to pride ourselves on knowing
maverick artists from Eastern Europe. We send you our
deepest gratitude and thanks for all your work [and
continued work!] and very best and warmest wishes for
the coming New Years. Very sincerely yours.
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December 28,
2009
James Scroggs
USA
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Congratulations and thank
you. Your website is a marvellous tribute to a great
artist whose graphic work may well be without equal.
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December 27, 2009
Brian R.Banks
England
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It is always a rare joy to
discover a completely 'new' art and artist, one who has
scandalously (through originality) escaped the myopic
arbiters of culture, much to their detriment. Perhaps
because his art fuses the visual with the deeply poetic,
which therefore crosses borders and the parameters of
curriculum, like spirits regarding science. The
opportunity to share the results of his vision is
singularly thanks to the webmaster of this site, for
whom said spirits will--one trusts-- more than make up
for the neglect of their pre-states. True, gloriously
bountiful art is fortunate to be passed on through such
caring hands. Thank you!
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December 27, 2009
Petr Pokorný
Czechia
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Greetings to all fans of
Tavík František Šimon! Have a wonderful new year with
images of this artist. |
December 26, 2009
Catharine Bentinck
The Netherlands
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Dear Friends! The team
of this website let you all know our appreciation for
your attention and images we received in the past years
and above all: inspiration to build up this website.
Special thanks to Zbynêk Svoboda from Prague for
attentiveness, images and Czech translations. We wish you all
a peaceful, joyful and creative 2010!
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www.tfsimon.com
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