Art, Architecture, and Design

The great painter of Paris theatre attends an opera by “the infamous Reyer, the lord of the score”

416. Edgar Degas Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, signed “Degas,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 4 x 6.5, no date. Letter to a friend discussing the opera, with mentions of composer/critic Ernest Reyer and singer Rose Caron, renowned for her interpretations of Brunehild in Reyer’s Sigurd. In part (translated): “So when are you coming back? I’m asking you that, forgetting that you like the open fields, and that you are a garden-lover; it is there that I shall come one of these days to drop a Wagnerian cobblestone on your head. Thus, ‘twas I, the boor—subtly dominating the domain of modern plasticity, but more usually the imbiber of the honey of [the bees] of Hymettus from the opera Sigurd. I saw it again, and failed to meet Reyer at Muller’s cafe, to the right of the monument. The divine Mademoiselle Caron; I compared her (to her face) to the figures of Puvis de Chavanne, who she didn’t know about. Rhythm… rhythm! [I hope] that your good wife will give it back to me someday soon, in front of the infamous Reyer, the lord of the score.” In fine condition, with a slight brush to the signature. Degas’ frequent visits to the opera, ballet, and café-concerts provided him with plenty of subjects for his artwork, which included two of the characters mentioned here: rough drawings of Reyer are present in sketchbooks from circa 1877, and he painted a portrait of Mme. Caron around 1892. A great letter evoking his consuming love of the theatre. Starting Bid $300

417. Eugene Delacroix Autograph Letter Signed. French artist (1798–1863)

who takes a place in the first rank of painters in the Romantic tradition and whose mastery of color and technique inspired both the Impressionist and Symbolist schools. ALS in French, signed “E. Delacroix,” one page, 5.25 x 8, no date. Untranslated handwritten letter to a gentleman. In fine condition, with a rusty paperclip impression to the top edge. Starting Bid $200

Ingres recommends “one of the most distinguished artists among those who devote themselves to the historical landscape”

418. Jean Auguste Ingres Autograph Letter Signed. Esteemed French Neoclassical painter (1780–1867) whose portraits are considered an influential precursor to modern art. ALS in French, signed “J. Ingres, Member de l’Institut,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 6.75 x 8.5, May 7, 1846. Handwritten letter to Hygin-Auguste Cavé, director in the government department of the Beaux-Arts, recommending his friend and fellow painter Alexandre Desgoffe, “one of the most distinguished artists among those who devote themselves to the historical landscape, of which the Poussins are the sublime inventors: a serious, noble, and high genre.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

Rare early Morandi drawing

419. Giorgio Morandi Signed Sketch. Italian painter and

printmaker (1890–1964) who specialized in still life paintings of simple subjects. Charming original fountain pen sketch of a person in profile accomplished by Morandi on an off-white 6.25 x 8.25 album page, filled in with text by Morandi and signed in the lower corner, “Giorgio Morandi.” Written in Italian, the text pertains to the publication of Antonio Baldini’s 1929 book La Dolce Calamita, which he illustrated. In fine condition, with some light folds and faint stains. Starting Bid $1000

1969 Galerie Rosengart exhibition catalog, inscribed by Picasso with a charming original sketch

420. Pablo Picasso Signed Exhibition Catalog with Sketch. Exhibition catalog entitled “Picasso: Aujourd’hui” from

the Galerie Rosengart in Lucerne, 1969, 4.75 x 7.25, signed and inscribed on the first free end page in fountain pen, “Pour Madame Graindorge, Picasso, le 21.11.69,” playfully sketching a face at the bottom. The catalog’s softcover wrappers colorfully reproduce a Picasso sketch, with his facsimile signature printed in the upper left corner. In fine condition, with the first page of the introductory essay detached but present. “Madame Graindorge” is presumably the wife of Fernand Graindorge, a noted patron of modern art whose collection included works by Picasso, Magritte, Arp, Matisse, and Le Corbusier. Starting Bid $500

421. Pablo Picasso: Steve Kaufman Signed

Silkscreen. American pop artist (1960-2010) who began his career in Andy Warhol’s ‘Factory.’ Impressive color limited edition printer’s proof silkscreen artwork reproducing Picasso’s powerful ‘Guernica’ scene with a portrait of the famed artist superimposed over the right side, on unstretched 47 x 27 canvas, numbered 2/50 PP, signed on the reverse in black felt tip, “SAK.” Rolled and in very good condition, with some rippling to canvas, and a bit of cracking to paint. Starting Bid $200