Emil Hertzka

“You know that I paint. What you do not know is that my work is highly praised by experts. And I am to have an exhibition next year. What I have in mind is that you might be able to get one or the other well-known patron to buy some of my pictures or have his portrait done by me. I should be prepared to paint a sample portrait for you. I would do your portrait free of charge if you give me your assurance that you will then get the commissions. Only you must not tell people that they will like my pictures. You must make them realize that they cannot but like my pictures, because they have been praised by authorities on painting; and above all that it is much more interesting to have one’s portrait done by or to own a painting by a musician of my reputation than to be painted by some mere practitioner of painting whose name will be forgotten in 20 years, whereas even now my name belongs to the history of music.” (Arnold Schönberg to Emil Hertzka, 7 March 1910)