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Art, Architecture, and Design
painter (1748–1825) and master of the Neoclassical style whose most famous works include ‘The Death of Marat’ and several portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte. ALS in French, signed “David,” one page, 4.5 x 6.75, no date. Handwritten letter by Jacques-Louis David to his to his employee Dubois. The greatest and most powerful of Napoleon’s artists gives instructions to his assistant on the manner by which he desires the interior of his house to be repainted. In part (translated): “I would like my dear Dubois to have the staircase and different rooms repainted in my house in the Rue du Cocq, but I think that some small freezings could still occur and that could cause some bad work because the glue would be eaten and then the colors would detach themselves from the wall.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
609. Juan Gris Autograph Letter Signed. Spanish painter and
sculptor (1887–1927) associated with Cubism. Scarce ALS in French, one page, 5 x 8, February 2, 1920. Letter to influential art critic Louis Vauxcelles, who is credited with coining the terms ‘Fauvism’ and ‘Cubism.’ In part (translated): “Having to face not only the indifference, but I would even say the injustice of the press in general toward me, your attitude on my behalf touches me and your present sympathy is a great encouragement. I would be all too happy to see you to speak with you about artistic things.” In fine condition, with a rough top edge. An important letter associating a then-unrecognized artist with a major critic. Starting Bid $200
Monet on his movement: “You seem to singularly stick to this title of ‘impressionist,’ which does not mean much and has made people tell so much nonsense”
610. Claude Monet Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, two pages both sides, 5.25 x 8, April 8, 1906. Handwritten letter from his Giverny gardens to the painter Michel-Auguste Colle, with a critical comment on the use and overuse of the word ‘Impressionism.’ In full (translated): “I have perfectly received your two letters but, being very busy, have been unable to reply sooner. The matter about which you ask me is quite serious and delicate. I surely do not want to refuse, and only pray you to tell me beforehand when you would like to come for, if I should be at work, it would impossible for me to receive you. I would therefore have to decide the day and time…P.S. You seem to singularly stick to this title of ‘impressionist’, which does not mean much and has made people tell so much nonsense.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Monet’s hand.
This letter reflects in a remarkable way what Monet himself thought about the word ‘Impressionist’ more than thirty years after it was disparagingly first used by the art critic Louis Leroy. It bears witness in a most striking manner to the discrepancy between the way in which the history of one of the most important artistic movements has been written and the vision held by its leading member. Starting Bid $300
“Faure and Miss Cassatt have refused, along with Zola,” writes Monet, undeterred in his campaign to buy a Manet painting
611. Claude Monet Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.25 x 6.75, November 1, 1889. Addressed from “Giverny, near Vernon, Eure,” a handwritten letter to French painter Henri Guerard regarding his campaign to buy Edouard Manet’s painting ‘Olympia.’ In full (translated): “Thank you for the trouble you are taking over the Manet subscription. I am putting you down for 100 francs and 100 francs for Madame Guerard-Gonzalès. As far as the list that you sent me, except for Messieurs Lafort and Lucas, to whom I am going to write, I have urged all the others. Faure and Miss Cassatt have refused, along with Zola. Monsieur Dufaux has not replied to me. But as I do not become discouraged, I am quite hopeful about reaching the complete sum soon. Then it will only be a matter of getting our gift accepted.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $300
Large portrait of Picasso in nature, signed by the artist and his wife
612. Pablo Picasso Signed Photograph. Vintage matte-finish 9.5 x 11.75 full-length photo of a shirtless Pablo Picasso posing outdoors, signed neatly in the upper right in blue ballpoint, “Picasso.” The photograph was taken by his wife, Jacqueline Roque, who signs on the reverse. In very fine condition. A sensational portrait of the great Spanish painter, an example made all the more rare and desirable by its lack of inscription, atypically large size, and wonderful imagery of the artist in nature. Starting Bid $500
“Very deep fog so thick it can be cut with a knife”— an Impressionist observes London
613. Camille Pissarro Autograph Letter
Signed. Highly regarded French painter (18301903), one of the leading figures of the impressionist movement, best known for his distinctive pointillist style. ALS in French, signed “C. Pissarro,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 6.75, black-bordered letterhead, September 14, 1898. Letter to his son Rodolphe, written from the Hotel d’Angleterre in Rouen. In part (translated): “I hope you do not forget your exercises. Don’t mess with this. You know it is absolutely necessary to develop your chest...If you need a warm coat, you may have one made...For many years humidity has also been considerable in France and a little less in England...it is evident that London in particular, and England in general, are the country by excellence of mist, of very deep fog so thick it can be cut with a knife. So, no mistake about that. We don’t need to be smart to know this.” In fine condition, with old tape reinforcement along the inner hinge. Starting Bid $200
Renoir reports on the death of Berthe Morisot
614. Pierre-Auguste Renoir Handwritten Letter. Unsigned handwrit-
ten letter in French by Renoir, one page, 4.5 x 7, March 3, 1895. Handwritten letter to art dealer Alphonse Portier, on the death of fellow painter Berthe Morisot, the wife of Eugène Manet. In full (translated): “We have just lost a dear friend, Berthe [Morisot] Manet. We are taking her to her last resting place, friends only, Tuesday morning at 10.” In fine condition, with a stain touching two words of text.
This significant letter boasts several art-world connections. The recipient, Alphone Portier, was a Paris dealer who sold the work of artists such as Auguste Renoir, Johan Barthold Jongkind, Paul Cézanne, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec from his apartment at 54 Rue Lepic—where Theo and Vincent Van Gogh also resided. The subject, Berthe Morisot, one of the great female Impressionist painters, was married to Eugène Manet, the brother of her friend and colleague Édouard Manet. She died of pneumonia in Paris on March 2, 1895, and was interred in the Cimetière de Passy. Starting Bid $200
6.25 x 9 photo of Pierre Curillon’s 1908 sculpture ‘The Filial Piety,’ showing an elderly father supported by his son, affixed to a 9.75 x 12.5 mount, signed and inscribed on the mount in black ink, “Pour solliciter, pour M’r Pierre Curillon, l’achat dele marbre, Aug. Rodin,” with Curillon signing on the opposite side and adding the work title: “Piete filiale.” In fine condition, with light silvering to the image. A beautiful photo signed by two brilliant French sculptors. Starting Bid $200
Rousseau celebrates the 25th anniversary of his Groupe des Indépendants exhibition
616. Henri Rousseau Autograph Letter Signed. Important French
post-impressionist painter in the Naïve or Primitive manner (1844–1910) known for his lush jungle paintings and stylized portraits. Recognized as a self-taught genius, his work exerted an extensive influence on several generations of avant-garde artists. Extremely rare ALS in French, signed “H. Rousseau,” one page, 5.25 x 8.25, June 2, 1910. Writing from Paris ninety days before his death, Rousseau invites his correspondent to a party celebrating his work. In part: “Tomorrow night, I’ll give a small party for my anniversary and for the quarter century that I have shown my work with the Indépendants. I hope that your health as well as that of your better half is good, and that both of you will be willing to honor this family party with your presence. In this hope, I send you my very cordial handshake.” He pens his address as “2 bis rue Perrel,” and adds a brief postscript: “My workload goes over my head, but I have also invited our friend Bouillon tomorrow night, Friday at 9.” In fine condition, with scattered small stains. This is the first Rousseau letter that we have handled. His artwork rejected by the official Salon, Rousseau had exhibited for the first time with the Groupe des Indépendants in 1885, showing his canvases ‘Italian Dance’ and ‘Sunset.’ Starting Bid $200
