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Art, Architecture, and Design
Oversized portrait of Mount Rushmore’s creator
364. Gutzon Borglum Signed Photograph. Matte-finish
10 x 13.5 photo, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To my dear friends—What are friends and who? Those who understand—and we believe love us—Ralph & Hazel Bradford, affectionately, Gutzon Borglum, Oct 22-1933, Washington D.C.” In fine condition, with a few light border stains, and a crease to the lower left corner. Ralph Bradford, a writer and manager of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Congress, was a close friend of Borglum and employed him while planning the redevelopment of the Corpus Christi waterfront in the late 1920s. Starting Bid $200
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. But meanwhile, there is one tenant who cannot get into his rooms before his kitchen is ready and perhaps something else he needs. I would therefore ask you to go as soon as you get this letter and act swiftly to do what the tenant asks while we wait that you can coordinate the painting on the rest of the house.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Rare image of Gauguin with the Pont-Aven group
367. Paul Gauguin Photograph. Rare
original unsigned sepia 6.25 x 4.25 albumen photograph of three artists of the Pont-Aven School—Paul Gauguin, Ferdinand du Puigaudeau, and Charles Laval—outside a coffee shop in the village of Pont Aven, circa 1886–1887. Annotated on the image and below in an unknown hand, identifying the subjects. In very good to fine condition, with tears to the edges of the image. Original photographs of Gauguin are very scarce, especially those showing him with fellow artists. Starting Bid $200
Unique piece from two important artists— Shafrazi Gallery exhibition announcement signed by Haring and Warhol
368. Keith Haring and Andy Warhol Signed Exhibition Card with Sketch. Highly desirable promo card for the
opening of Keith Haring’s exhibition at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery on January 17, 1987, 5.75 x 8.75, signed and inscribed in black felt tip, “For Pierre, K. Haring,” who sketches a long crawling figure in his usual style, and also signed by his fellow pop artist, “Andy Warhol.” Warhol was present at the opening, as documented in the Andy Warhol Diaries. In very good condition, with overall creasing, a tear to one edge, and a few small spots of surface loss. From the estate of noted photographer Pierre Keller (1945-2019). Starting Bid $200
Desperate for money in Tahiti, Gauguin authorizes the sale of his prized possessions: “Two small paintings of sunflowers by Van Gogh”
366. Paul Gauguin Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, two pages both sides, 8.25 x 10.5, April 10, 1896. Handwritten letter to painter, art teacher, and collector Emile Schuffenecker, written during Gauguin’s second and final stay in Tahiti. The painter exposes the material difficulties which lead him to abdicate all pride, evoking the lack of recognition towards him. He asks for help from Schuffenecker, whom he had maintained a lasting friendship with since 1873. He talks about his wife Mette’s “usual antics” to get money—while, according to him, she is not unhappy at all and makes an easy living in Copenhagen. She deceived Schuffenecker by asking him to send paintings, but Gauguin cannot blame his friend. As for him, he is “in the molasses up to my neck” while “in debt and penniless.” He writes (translated): “At 50 soon I am on the ground without strength and without hope. To youth I somehow gave freedom for lack of teaching: by my boldness, everyone today dares to paint alongside nature and all in profit, sell next to me because once again everything appears now understandable next to me. Finally, let’s not recriminate. Still, I have lost all pride. I was never protected because I was believed to be strong today I am weak I ask for protection.”
He compares his situation to that of Emile Bernard and Charles Filiger, “young people less interesting than me…who benefit from protection and help from their family.” Gauguin asks Schuffenecker to request a loan from the Earl of La Rochefoucauld: “Daumier, who was worth me, had without blushing accepted an annuity of Corot,” recalling that he still has a small statue in Paris “that I believe unique piece in Paris either as a ceramic material or as an art. Finally do the impossible and quickly immediately because time is my ruin.” He continues: “I have received a letter from Vollard who offered me to make him an engraved and drawn plate by me 100 copies. But what is he thinking. How does he want me to do this here, I do not have the necessary paper and a press. Especially the paper…Tell him then that there is not ill will on my part but impossibility on my part. He also asks me to lower the price of two small paintings of sunflowers by Van Gogh. Give him permission to sell them for 300f each and net for me.” In fine condition, with short splits to ends of the intersecting folds. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in Gauguin’s hand, which has several edge tears.
A painter, art teacher, and collector—most notably one of Van Gogh’s earliest collectors—Emile Schuffenecker was one of Gauguin’s closest friends, and an outspoken supporter of his artistic career. He was also responsible for proposing the important 1889 exhibition at the Volpini Gallery, which became a key moment in Gauguin’s career, expanding his influence on young painters. In late 1887 or early 1888, Gauguin traded his canvas ‘On the Shore of the Lake, Martinique’ to Vincent Van Gogh in exchange for two small paintings of sunflowers that the great Dutchman had completed the previous summer. Gauguin hung them above his bed when he lived in Paris on Rue Boulard with Emile Schuffenecker, and they remained there during his voyages in the South Seas. Desperate for money by 1896, Gauguin decided to finally part with these prized possessions; they were ultimately purchased by the art dealer Ambroise Vollard for 225 francs a piece. Today, one of the canvases resides in the collection of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. A rare and significant association piece connecting several important artistic figures of the Post-Impressionist movement. Starting Bid $2500
A great abstract artist’s early drawings
369. Franz Kline Signed Sketches. Notable
American abstract expressionist painter (1910–1962). Original vintage fountain pen sketches of “The Boy Friend” accomplished in great detail by Kline on both sides of a beige 3.5 x 5.5 album page, signed on one side, “Franz Kline,” and on the other, “You’ve lots of friends, let me be among them, Franz Kline.” This page was allegedly given by the young Kline to his teenage sweetheart. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Content rich letter from Matisse on painting and family, highlighted by the presence of two original sketches
370. Henri Matisse Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, signed “H. M.,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.5 x 8.5, January 6, 1922. Lengthy handwritten letter to his wife Amelie, discussing his current work, “The smallest are paintings of 3. One of them is an unprimed one of 4 that is coming back for the gallerists...I work on it 2 1⁄2 to 4 hours every day, and it is going well...I am enclosing in my letter 2 photos [no longer present] one of a painting of 30, the nude, and one of a 15, a young girl seated on the arm of a chair, looking at the window.” To conclude he critiques the artwork of his son Jean and that of his wife, adding two small sketches as reference: one representing Jean Simeon Chardin’s still life Pipes and Drinking Vessels, and a small diagram, within a square, identifying the juxtaposition of color. He states to his wife that “the green does not work well next to the blue, nor does the red next to the black. It is normal and work will correct it. Experience, and the study of the masters, the paintings of Cezanne.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $500
Handwritten letter and subscriber’s list for Claude Monet’s national campaign to donate Edouard Manet’s ‘Olympia’ to the Louvre
371. Claude Monet Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7, October 17, 1889. Important handwritten letter by Monet to fellow painter Henri-Charles Guerard, relating to Monet’s campaign to buy Edouard Manet’s ‘Olympia’ for the French National Museum—along with a handwritten list showing who had contributed so far, and the total raised. In part (translated): “I take care of a subscription that we make between friends and admirers of Manet to buy his Olympia and offer it to the Louvre. It is the most beautiful tribute that we can pay to the memory of our friend and it is at the same time a discreet way of helping Madame Manet since it is to her that the Olympia belongs.” Includes a handwritten list by Monet, documenting the contributors thus far—with notable names like “Boldini,” “Caillebotte,” “Cheret,” “Durand-Ruel,” “Geffroy,” “Galliard,” “Huysmans,” “Mirbeau,” “Monet,” “Sargent,” “Rouart,” and others—and the amount donated, which totaled 15,025 francs as of October 17th. In fine condition.
Edouard Manet’s painting ‘Olympia,’ an arrestingly bold nude of a reclining prostitute, immediately sparked controversy upon its unveiling at the 1865 Paris Salon. Later recognized as one of the artist’s true masterpieces, Monet spearheaded a public campaign to raise money for the French government to purchase the painting. Monet’s letters on the subject—generally sent to those within his artistic circle—are highly coveted, and this example is dramatically enhanced by the list of subscribers. By February 1890, Monet had raised about 20,000 francs to purchase the great work and announced its donation to the French national museums. As the law prevented the Louvre from exhibiting works until their creators were ten years deceased (Manet died in 1883), ‘Olympia’ was first shown at the Musée du Luxembourg, then at the Musée de l’Art Contemporary of Paris. By order of Georges Clemenceau, Olympia finally took its place in the Louvre in 1907. Starting Bid $300
Rare early Morandi drawing
372. 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
373. Francis Picabia Signed Sketch. French avant-garde
painter, poet, and typographist (1879–1953) who was an early major figure of the Dada movement. Original ink sketch of a waterfront scene above the text of a dinner menu accomplished by Picabia on an off-white 3.75 x 6 card, signed with his initials and dated in the corner, “F. P., 1905.” In fine condition, with light toning from prior display. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Le Comité Picabia. Starting Bid $200
375. Norman Rockwel Autograph Letter Signed
with Sketch. Twice-signed ALS, autographed as “Norman” and “Norman Rockwell,” one page, 5.75 x 8.5, Grand Hotel, Krasnapolsky letterhead, April 8, 1960. Handwritten letter to Gordon and Verna Rowe, in full: “I may be a little delayed. Not later than 6:30. See you then.” Below is another message from Rockwell: “My best wishes to two good friends Verna and Gordon Rowe who were my good Samaritans,” with Rockwell adding a sketch of a small dog with a can tied to its tail. In very good condition, with overall creasing and a few small tears. Includes the original travel diary belonging to the Rowes, who met Rockwell while vacationing in Europe. Starting Bid $200
Playfully inscribed with a prominent sketch, Picasso’s 1970 Festival d’Avignon exhibition book
374. Pablo Picasso Signed Book with Sketch. Signed book with outstanding sketch: Pablo Picasso, 1969–1970: Dans le Cadre du XXIIe Festival d’Avignon, Au Palais des Papes en Avignon. Exposition concue et mise au point par Yvonne Zervos. First edition. Paris: Cahiers d’Art, 1970. Softcover, 10 x 12.5, 200 pages. Signed and inscribed on the title page in blue crayon, “Pour Anita, Picasso, le 10.7.70,” filling the page with a sketch of a bearded figure in his primitive abstract style, as well as playful wave-and-dot patterns. Autographic condition: fine. Book condition: VG/None, with some toning and staining to wrappers, and a few ballpoint annotations inside in an unknown hand. A superb piece of original artwork from the hand of a modern master. Starting Bid $1000
376. Auguste Rodin Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, signed “Aug. Rodin,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.5 x 7.25, 30 Old Burlington Street letterhead, June 24, 1906. Handwritten letter to British socialite Mary Hunter (1856-1933), whom Rodin sculpted in both bronze and marble, in part (translated): “I am sorry as I wanted so much to render you some services in testimony of admiration. I cannot, [as] I believe that I have resigned from this society with Paul Adam D’Indy only eight days ago. It publishes Les tendances nouvelles, as its organ. If I am wrong (you can send this card) and should it be another company putting the name of the artist I do not have it here.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Hand-annotated pass to Lautrec’s seminal
377. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Hand-An-
notated Calling Card. Personal calling card, 4 x 2.5, imprinted with his name, “Henri de Toulouse Lautrec,” and annotated in pencil by Toulouse-Lautrec with a reference to Goupil Gallery. In fine condition. Toulouse-Lautrec’s cards are extremely rare, with only six (including the present one) recorded in his published correspondence. These cards were used by the artist in 1898 as a pass to admit friends to his exhibition in London at the Goupil Gallery in Regent street, the largest show of his work in his lifetime. A precious memento of the height of Lautrec’s career. Starting Bid $200
ter Signed. Renowned Dutch art dealer (1857–1891) widely remembered for the significant emotional and financial support of his older brother Vincent van Gogh. Extremely rare ALS in French, signed “T. van Gogh,” one page both sides, 4.25 x 7, September 30, 1890. To Albert Aurier, author of the first published text recognizing Vincent Van Gogh’s art, the only review in the great artist’s lifetime. Two months after Vincent’s death (and less than five before his own), Theo pens a letter to the writer he had in mind for his brother’s biography, hoping to be able to ask him to write the story of Vincent van Gogh’s life. In part (translated): “I would be very frustrated if you had come to my door on last Sunday while I wasn’t there. Within our staircases, it is very dark. I had left a message on the door saying I would come back. Nothing can be seen and I was unfortunately half an hour late. If you had waited for me, I beg you to excuse me. My brother and sister in law have had an accident and I had gone to see them. Fortunately they are not gravely hurt. When could you come back in the next few days because I really want to ask you something. And if you come one of these days to the boulevard, there is a superb pastel by Degas, a naked figure and I hope that I will be there if you come by. If it is not the case, please leave a note of when you would like to come to us and I will make everything to arrange that nothing interferes in our meeting.” In fine condition. Only four letters of Theo Van Gogh, including this one, have resurfaced in the autograph market in the past fifty years. Starting Bid $300
A particularly large soup can sketch
379. Andy Warhol Signed
Sketch. Highly desirable original signed felt tip sketch of a Campbell’s soup can accomplished by Warhol on a light brown 7 x 9.25 sheet of cardboard, neatly signed under the drawing, “Andy Warhol.” Impressively corner-mounted, suede-matted, and framed with a portrait and nameplate to an overall size of 23 x 19.25. In very fine condition. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services. Starting Bid $300
