Art, Architecture, and Design

“I have made a lot of red,” writes Bonnard from the Alpes-Maritimes, “and try to use this brutality”

303. Pierre Bonnard Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, signed “P. Bonnard,” one page both sides, 5.25 x 6.75, postmarked February 6, 1932. Handwritten letter to fellow French artist Frederic Luce, whose father was the painter Maximilien Luce, in part (translated): “Life is calm...somewhat rustic, we are glad to live much outside. I have worked quite a lot and am planning to show you something in the summer. I have made a lot of red and try to use this brutality. Here, the young Lebasque makes sculptures too and begins with ceramic. He has some success and more generally I believe in the future of polychrome sculpture.” Bonnard adds his address and a postscript. In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed by Bonnard. Starting Bid $200

304. Edgar Degas Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, signed

“Degas,” one black-bordered page, 4.25 x 6.75, no date. A handwritten letter to Nicolas, in full (translated): “You did not come this morning. Will you not come this afternoon? I am hurriedly going to lunch and shall be back at the atelier at 2 p.m. See you soon.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

Lovely bouquet of original Matisse flowers, presented to one of his models

305. Henri Matisse Signed Book with Original Flower Sketches . Signed book: Verve: Revue Artistique et Litteraire.

Vol. IV. No. 13. First edition. Paris, France: Editions de la Revue Verve, 1945. Hardcover with dust jacket, 10.5 x 14, 62 pages, complete with its two color lithographs (highlighted by ‘La Chute d’Icare’). Boldly signed and inscribed in blue ink on the title page, “En Hommage a Monette Vincent, respectueuse, affection, H. Matisse, Nice 28/4 50,” who draws a beautiful cluster of four flowers in blue and red crayon around the page. Autographic condition: fine. Book condition: VG/G-, with offsetting to the ‘La Chute d’Icare’ lithograph, and substantial edge chipping, tears, and losses to the jacket (which lacks its spine and has two detached flaps inside). While little is known of the recipient, research shows that Simone ‘Monette’ Vincent was a particular favorite model of Matisse, who drew several portraits of her in 1942. Starting Bid $1000

“Although Colette’s collaboration is very important to me, I was remaining in obscurity, full of hope”

306. Henri Matisse. ALS in French, signed “H. Matisse,” one page, 8.25 x 10.5, January 20, 1949. Letter concerning a collaboration with novelist Colette. In part (translated): “Thank you for you letter which makes me quite happy. Although [the prospect of] Colette’s collaboration is very important to me, I was remaining in obscurity, full of hope. When she has a chance to think of me, that will make me happy.” Handsomely mounted, matted, and framed with a portrait of Matisse in his studio to an overall size of 15 x 22. In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds and edge creasing; Matisse’s last name is very bold as he apparently switched pens due to dwindling ink flow. The collaboration he discusses may be for Colette’s La Vagabonde, published in 1951, which included a lithograph portrait frontispiece by Matisse. A beautifully presented letter offering a desirable connection between French art and literature. Starting Bid $300

308. Pierre-Auguste Renoir Signature. Attractive

ink signature, “Mille regret de ne vous avoir pas trouves, Renoir,” on an off-white 3.5 x 1.5 sheet. Double-matted and framed with a photograph to an overall size of 14.25 x 18.25. In fine condition, with light wrinkling and central vertical fold. Starting Bid $200

“I had to frame it with a border that’s too small for the painting”

307. Claude Monet Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, no date [circa 1880]. An early handwritten letter addressed to the collector Georges de Bellio, in part (translated): “I don’t have a frame for the church. I had to frame it with a border that’s too small for the painting. As a result, quite a bit has been hidden but you can still see the effect. I’m counting on you to quickly send back the framed Venice…I’d be very grateful if you would. Thank you in advance.” In fine condition. De Bellio (1828–1894) was one of Monet’s biggest early supporters. It was he who bought Monet’s iconic 1874 painting Impression, Soleil Levant, the work that gave its name to the Impressionist movement. Starting Bid $500

309. Auguste Rodin Autograph Letter

Signed. ALS in French, signed “Rodin,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4 x 5.25, no date. An untranslated handwritten letter to his friend, the art critic Maurice Guillemot. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

310. Andy Warhol Signed Postcard of ‘4 Camp-

bell’s Soup Cans’. Very desirable color semi-glossy 4 x 6 postcard of Andy Warhol’s 1962 work ‘4 Campbell’s Soup Cans,’ which shows a stack of four iconic Campbell’s soup cans, signed below in black felt tip by Warhol. In very fine condition. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from the original recipient, who obtained the autograph from a New York City book signing. Starting Bid $200