1954-05-20

20th May 1954

Dear Mr. Petersen,

Thank you very much for your letter of April 21st and for the manuscript copy of the book you intend to publish. I have read this with great interest and I think I may say that I agree entirely with the summary of your theory which you give in the first few pages. I agree, for example, the younger generation has made so many dead styles out of earlier hard-won results instead of going forward to some new creative principle. I think too that you indicate the right way to proceed, and although I think we should avoid if possible any further "isms" in art, your word "originism" elucidates its purpose.

Yours sincerely,

Herbert Read.

Mr.V.B.Petersen,
Grev Turegatan 12B,
Stockholm,
SWEDEN

P.s. Please let me know if you wish me to return the MS.