Description:

Hari Mata



Mata Hari ALS to Lover & Dutch Artist a Few Years before her Execution by Firing Squad

 

2pp ALS inscribed overall in Dutch and 2x signed by Margaretha Zelle, also known by her stage name Mata Hari (1876-1917). Signed as "Marguerite," the first time within the text near the bottom of page two, and the second time in closing, "Your Marguerite." The undated letter was written in Amsterdam, Netherlands, likely sometime between late 1914 and early 1915. On partly printed cream, blue-lined stationery paper with "Victoria Hotel - Amsterdam" letterhead, an elaborate Art Nouveau style monogram in cobalt blue at top. With expected wear including paper folds, light toning, and scattered foxing. Minor damage to upper left. Else very good to near fine. 8.5" x 11". Provenance: Van der Hem's lawyer was given this letter as payment for legal services.

 

The letter is exceptional not only for its rarity, but also for its emotional content. Mata Hari addressed the letter to her lover, Dutch artist Piet van der Hem (1885-1961). This love affair seems to have been an unusual pairing for Mata Hari, who was generally known for her assignations with wealthy, powerful, and aristocratic men. The aging dancer was nevertheless intrigued by van der Hem, a penniless and unknown artist nine years her junior. Her letter suggests that she viewed van der Hem as a rotégé, whose career she could advance through her society connections.

 

Translated in part, with paragraph breaks added for legibility:

 

"Dear Piet

 

I really thought that you preferred making modern 'studies,' but if you don't mind doing it, then it is ok. I hope your work is good. I know you are very busy…One work goes better than the other. So it is with me. So it will be with you. I had almost regretted that I asked you to follow this road, because one must have a 'talent' for what it is. And not try to lead it to where the feeling is not…

 

I am a very ambitious woman and when I feel an affinity for someone then I have the same ambitious feelings as strongly for him.

 

I have so many interesting modern things for you that you have to say to me, Marguerite it pleases me or not. I will come tonight a bit later because I am expecting a visitor around 9 o'clock.

 

Much love

your Marguerite."

 

Margaretha Zelle's true life is just as fascinating as the fictitious one she created for her dance act. Zelle had traveled as a teenaged mail-order bride to the Dutch East Indies. Her much older husband, a military officer, was a physically abusive alcoholic. Sadly, both of their children appear to have died, at ages 2 and 21 respectively, of complications from syphilis contracted by their parents. While in Java, Zelle studied its local culture, later incorporating its dance, costume, jewelry, mythology, and language into her stage act as Mata Hari.

 

In 1914-1915, when this letter was probably written, Margaretha's dancing career was definitely in decline; indeed, her last dance performance was in March 1915. Just a few years later, in October 1917, Mata Hari would be executed by a French firing squad on charges of being a double agent. Although the true nature of her loyalty remains unknown, most historians agree that Margaretha was used as a scapegoat. She was simply too good of a target of the French government, then struggling with anti-war sentiment, mutinies, and general unrest, not to use as a distraction.

 

Piet van der Hem, a painter, draftsman, and cartoonist, might have met Mata Hari while she posed for one of his society portraits. Van der Hem's portrait of Mata Hari, now in the Fries Museum in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, depicts her wearing a green beret, winter coat, and long, white gloves. Van der Hem studied art in Amsterdam and Paris. He was known for nocturnal street scenes rendered in the style of Toulouse-Lautrec.

 

Amsterdam's Victoria Hotel, now called the Park Plaza Victoria Hotel, opened in 1890. The massive Second Empire style building is situated on a corner just steps away from the city's major train station and red-light district. It was designated a National Heritage site in 2001. It is still in operation today.

 


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