Mary McLeod Bethune

Letter to Paul Robeson

Nov. 1?, 1943

Mr. Paul Robeson

Shubert theatre

West 44th Street

New York City, N. Y.

My dear Paul:

I am still basking in the sunshine of your presence on Sunday evening. It was a glorious inspiration indeed.

Through the interest Of Oscar Chapman and other kind friends, I have been brought contact with a marvelous artist; Betsy Graves Reyneau, who has had rich experiences in Europe and Russia and has painted portraits of many outstanding characters of our day.

Through the interest of some or our liberal friends, she has been settling some of her attention and interest, for the past year, on the painting of Negroes. She has done Carver in such a vivid and magnificient way that Vice President Wallace had marvelled. And Paul, she has done me.

As I stand up and gaze upon the face of that portrait, the tears run down my cheeck. It seems that my very soul is caught in this great picture and it speaks out to me.

She is desirous of making a painting of you, Paul. We want you in your OTHELLO robe. She will only need 4 or 5 sittings. She would like to do this between now and Christmas. She is now at 1 Middagh Street, Brooklyn 1, N. Y.

I shall be personally very happy if you will give her the opportunity to do this. I know you will. I ask her to put in a call at the back stage of the Shurbert Theatre to find out when she might be able to see you. So when a Betsy Graves Reyneau calls you, you will know who she is and speak to her over the telephone.

I hope all is going well with you.

Sincerely,

Mary McLeod Bethune

Letter to Paul Robeson, ProQuest History Vault, FOLDER: 001390-009-0289, by Mary McLeod Bethune, Nov. 1943. (PDF)