Autograph letter signed. Expresses her desire for Steichen to tell her that she is wrong about her perception of his remarks. Says he spoke passionately against any kind of prejudice, but then shocked her by a prejudice for “his little dirty-faced kids,” saying he missed them in Mother and Child. She asks who they are, saying that all children are dirty-faced. She asks who these children are that she missed and if she had the right to speak for them. Says this is her Mother and Child and other people could write their own. Says it “hurt her to the quick” that he inferred that the children in her book were not as “real” as his “dirty-faced kids.” Asks him if he believes that large-breasted women have greater love for their children or life? Says “maybe Stalin or Hitler can say what kind of songs must be sung”, but not him. Begs him to tell her he loves all people and that he sees “the precious earth in us too.” Says she cares “terribly” that he does.

Nell Dorr Papers, Amon Carter Museum of American Art Archives, Fort Worth, Texas

Nell Dorr Papers, Amon Carter Museum of American Art Archives, Fort Worth, Texas.