After 1919, Princess Tenisheva found herself in exile and settled in the town of Vaucluse near Paris, continuing to engage in her beloved craft of enamel. However, it was already a different era and environment. Although friends called this place "Little Talashkino," and talented artists and musicians gathered around the princess once again, the atmosphere was entirely different, not like in Russia. Time and the world had changed, and much around seemed foreign.

In a letter to Roerich, Tenisheva writes: "Dear Nikolai Konstantinovich, over time, many events and experiences have accumulated that I have not yet been able to share with you. Now, after a long illness caused by the events I have endured and the blows of fate, I have found some emotional balance. The painful expectation of a miracle that would instantly end the suffering of Russia has left me. Not waiting for this miracle and overcoming my inner pain, I have turned back to creativity. But this is not just a spiritual need; I have always understood that only hard work can give us, Russians, the right to live.

When we left Crimea in 1919 and arrived in France, there was devastation and disorganization after the war. Only now is life beginning to return to normal. It was only two years into our stay here that gas of the necessary quality became available, without which enamelers could not work due to poor coal that did not provide the required heat.

Artists of all art directions are deprived of income, and hopelessness reigns among them. There is complete stagnation here; no one is buying or selling anything, shops are empty, even antique ones. I used to engage in enamel as an amateur, not worrying about sales, and I was secure. Now, however, every piece I create must bring in income, or I will have nothing to live on. I left behind in Russia everything dear to me, including a unique collection of enamel works, but I managed to take with me some jewelry, which now constitutes our resources.

However, they are not infinite, and I must take care of the future. It is good for those women who have husbands, but I am alone, and I have a daughter who is still very young, and a granddaughter whom I also need to care for. I now live in the workshop that you are familiar with. Although it is a bit cramped, it is cheaper than an apartment.

With friendly regards, Princess Maria Tenisheva.