Letter from Nicolas de Staël, Paris, to Paul Rosenberg, 1954 February 16 : autograph manuscript signed.

Saying that he his nervous about not having news about the exhibition. He'd like to have a list of the paintings that are displayed, a precise list if Rosenberg doesn't mind. He says that Rosenberg's opinion about the Sicilian landscapes is indispensable to him, and he's very glad to have it. He goes on to say that if Rosenberg doesn't have the time to write to him, he should ask his secretary to let him know how things are going. He'd also like to know the reactions of the "village clans" of whom Rosenberg'a friend [John] Rewald is a member. He says that nothing that an idiot says about art is harmful to a painter; in fact he needs the opinions of idiots. He asks for photos. He asks if Rosenberg is happy or not about the exhibition. He thanks Rosenberg for his telegram from the opening day, but says that everything happens after that and asks how it's going. He wants to know if Duncan Phillips and Chester Dale took the trouble to come to the exhibition. He also wants Rosenberg to tell him if he thinks he now paints better and in a freer manner than when he sent his first paintings of flowers to Rosenberg. De Staël says they'll be able to do great things together only if they are perfectly frank with each other. He says he cares about his paintings as much about his own skin and doesn't criticize [or destroy] them unless it's absolutely necessary.