Abstraction, 1959

Clement Greenberg Private Collection, Montreal

Jock Macdonald’s letter to Clement Greenberg (on the reverse of the Christmas card) reads: “Hello, Good People! We were delighted to receive your surprise card from Europe. Hope sincerely that you had a very excellent trip around and felt the benefit from the change of environment. Thanks Clem, for the notices of the exhibitions being held at the ‘French Gallery’. We are in good form, even though Barbara had the cast removed from her right arm today. Second break in two years. I am painting just as steadily as ever and at the moment I am up against time, preparing for a show, at the new Here & Now Gallery, in town, on the 7th of January. Have been selling quite a few things recently - only of moderate proportions. My work is changing quite a bit. I am away from the dark and solid to light sensitive things in lemon, ochres and sometimes gray. Everybody seems to be in good spirits and all Painters’ Eleven are working steadily through not exhibiting as a group. Our very best love to both of you.”