| Admin/Biog History | Hugh David Graham Carritt 1927-1982 was a British art historian, dealer and critic. He was described, in an obituary that appeared in The New York Times as being 'responsible for more sensational discoveries in the field of Old Master painting since World War II than any other man'. Nicolson first met Carritt in April 1948 and the two began an intense relationship which continued until 1949. Nicolson described the experience as the first time he had been in love. Despite the breakdown of their relationship, letters in the Nicolson Archive reveal that they continued to correspond about professional matters.
The letters are best read alongside the journals of this period.
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| Description | Includes letters written by Carritt to Nicolson, as well as draft letters written by Nicolson to Carritt, of a personal nature concerning their relationship; romantic love; physical love; Carritt's promiscuity; previous relationships/love affairs; and arrangements to spend time together.
Letters sent from 1951 onwards are almost exclusively concerned with art and professional matters.
Of particular note:
-letter, sent between June-September 1948, concerning Carritt's trip to Ireland, visits to the National Gallery of Ireland and Chief Justice James Munnaghan's house
-letter, dated 26 September 1948, concerning a visit to Paris and the collection of Francois Heugel
-draft letter, undated [1948-1949], in which Nicolson explores the benefits and disadvantages of their relationship under the following headings: parentage; material benefits; spiritual benefits; sexual relationship; character; environment; age; what can we do?
-three letters, dated [May - June 1951], concerning a trip Carritt made to Italy & Greece; 'discoveries' in the Byzantine Museum & Assisi Pinactoeca; and proposals for articles on an unpublished Caravaggio and two unpublished Giovanni Paolo's; a visit to I Tatti
-letter, dated 23 November 1953, concerning various pictures seen on a visit to Europe; articles for the Burlington and a request for Nicolson to 'convince Lord Vestey that the Turner would be a good buy'
Also includes:
-a letter and a postcard written by Carritt to Vita Sackville-West, thanking her for hospitality following a stay at Sissinghurst
-two small & 1 large b&w photographs of Carritt |