Letter

CO-1314 Coiner, Charles T. [Carta] 1943 Dec. 28, Philadelphia, PA [para] Candido Portinari, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. [inglês][datilografado] Dear Mr. Portinari Our client, the Container Corporation of America, is buying a series of paintings on the subject of transportation of food and material to foreign countries. They are extremely anxious to commission you to do one of theses interpretations. We have used artists from the following countries with considerable success: - China, Russia, North Africa and Mexico. Naturally, Brazil is extremely important and we would like to get the artist who is most representative of that country to work on this commission. The idea is that paper board containers are used to ship packages of clothes, food, machinery, etc., from one end of the world to the other. There is no place so remote that it does not see these containers. We would like to have you suggest a situation in Brazil indicating some phase of the transportation, or the results of the exchange of goods with the United States. In other words, we get merchandise from you and you receive things from us. A painting on this subject should do a great deal to cement the friendly of the two countries. This painting will be reproduced in full color in two magazines, Time and Fortune. (Circulation of Time is 1,091,513; Fortune – 177,123). We feel that it is very important to get good art rather than ordinary commercial art. Unfortunately the fee is not too high, but since the purpose was so good I had the courage to approach you on it. We pay $50.00 for a rough sketch, approximately 13 x 10 inches; and $500.00 for the finished work to be made any size you wish. I am including Photostats of some of the previous ones to show you how other artists interpreted the theme. We are extremely anxious to learn of your decision as to whether or not you will do this commission. Hoping for a favorable reply, I remain Yours sincerely, Charles T. Coiner, Art Director 2