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Art, Architecture, and Design
Before his return to Tahiti, Gauguin lashes out at an important patron: “Already before my departure you were stupidly letting yourself be influenced by the little snake”
634. Paul Gauguin Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 6.75, no date but postmarked April 30, 1895. Handwritten letter to painter, art teacher, and collector Emile Schuffenecker, berating him for having listened to the “slander” of “the little snake,” presumably referring to Gauguin’s estranged wife Mette-Sophie Gad. He also makes reference to his “departure,” most likely his final departure from France for Tahiti, which would occur two months later in June 1895. In part (translated): “My dear Schuffenecker and poor invalid, Already before my departure you were stupidly letting yourself be influenced by the little snake. Today it is more serious. What will I respond to this slander? Nothing. Your request coming from any other person, I would send you to hell with sarcasms; from you, I suffer from it because it makes you suffer. As for Bernard, that is another thing. I must respond and I pray that you send him my letter, with or without commentary from you. If you read it closely you will understand (what you should have done before) the motive prompting Bernard to act as he did.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Gauguin’s hand. Starting Bid $1000
Caillebotte to Monet, an impressionist correspondence
633. Gustave Caillebotte Autograph Letter Signed.
French painter (1848–1894) who was a member and patron of the Impressionists, although he painted in a more realistic manner than many others in the group. Caillebotte was noted for his early interest in photography as an art form. Desirable untranslated ALS in French, signed “G. Caillebotte,” one page, 4.25 x 5.5, March 30, 1887. Handwritten letter to his friend and fellow artist, the great impressionist painter Claude Monet. In fine condition.
Caillebotte’s sizable allowance, along with the inheritance he received after the death of his father in 1874 and his mother in 1878, allowed him to paint without the pressure to sell his work. It also allowed him to help fund Impressionist exhibitions and support his fellow artists and friends—Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Camille Pissarro among others—by purchasing their works and, at least in the case of Monet, paying the rent for their studios. Starting Bid $200
635. Keith Haring Signed Postcard. Fantastic 4 x 6
postcard photo published by Art Unlimited Amsterdam, featuring a 1985 photo of Haring by Paul Blanca, signed in the lower border in black felt tip, “K. Haring.” In very fine condition. Accompanied by a folding ‘Playboy’ ornament designed by Haring, which features his facsimile signature. Starting Bid $200 636. Paul Klee Autograph Letter Signed. Important
Swiss-German artist (1879-1940) whose works incorporate a number of the most influential movements of the day, including Surrealism, Expressionism, and Cubism. ALS in German, signed “Klee,” one page both sides, 6.75 x 3.5, 1937. Untranslated handwritten letter by the noted artist. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
637. Sol Lewitt Signed Sketch. American artist (1928–2007) linked to the conceptual art and minimalist movements. Original ink sketch of a geometric box accomplished by Lewitt on a 6 x 4.25 postcard, signed and inscribed, “Dear David, I never do autographs, only drawings. Sorry, Sol Lewitt.” Lewitt also dated the sketch February 28, 1981, and filled out the recipient’s address. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
638. Edouard Manet Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, signed “Manet,” one page, 4 x 5.25, no date. Handwritten letter by the noted painter concerning an upcoming show, in part (translated): “I should very much like to show you what I intend to send to the exposition. Would you be so kind as to come Saturday or Sunday after two o’clock. You will excuse me if I am able to give you but one hour. I hope to choose the most propitious hour of the day to appear before a judge such as you.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Signed. TLS in French, signed “Sincerement votre, H. Matisse,” two pages, 8.25 x 10.75, September 18, 1951. Letter to Monroe Wheeler, the Exhibitions and Publications coordinator at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, in part (translated): “I take advantage of the departure of my son Pierre, who takes the plane tomorrow to give him for you the two covers that you asked me to compose. First of all, I must apologize for not having composed the cover of the catalog in only three colors. This was not possible for me and I hope that it will appeal to the public so that you will sell enough to cover the cost of printing the six colors.” Matisse continues with “some observations about his impression.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
640. Maxfield Parrish Autograph Letter
Signed. ALS, one page, 6.5 x 7.75, June 22, 1897. Beautifully and elaborately penned handwritten letter to “Mr. Chapin,” in full: “I have your letter of yesterday and should be glad to design cover, etc. for the prospectus. I shall be in New York Monday or Tuesday (28th or 29th) and shall be glad to see you about the matter.” Affixed at corners to a slightly larger scrapbook page. In fine condition, with slight show-through from toned adhesive to the corners. Starting Bid $200
641. Pablo Picasso Signed Book. French-language signed book: Faunes et Nymphes de Pablo Picasso. First edition. Geneva, Switzerland: Pierre Cailler, 1952. Softcover, 5.5 x 7.5. 40 pages of text followed by 32 photos of sculptures. Signed on the title page in red artist pencil, “Picasso.” The page is also signed and inscribed by the book’s author, Andre Verdet. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
642. Pablo Picasso Signed Envelope. Hand-addressed and signed mailing envelope, 5.75 x 4.25, addressed by Picasso to “Madame Ines Sassier, 7 Rue des Grands Augustins, Paris 6e As.,” and signed as part of the return address on the flap: “Envoi Picasso, Mas N. D. de V., Mougins, A.M.” Postmarked at Cannes in 1962. In very good to fine condition, with light overall creasing.
Picasso met Ines Sassier while vacationing in Mougins in 1936 and, delighted by her charm, promptly welcomed both her and her sister to his domestic staff. She remained Picasso’s close friend, advisor, cook, and confidante for more than three decades. Picasso lived and worked in the grand mansion at 7 Rue des Grands Augustins from 1936 and 1955, and eventually retired to his hilltop estate in Mougins, called Mas de Notre Dame de Vie, in 1961. Starting Bid $200
“Enclosed is a little Plum Nellie for the New Year”— Reed forwards an original abstract painting
Rockwell sketches a ‘bedsheet ghost’ in a first edition of My Adventures as an Illustrator
643. Robert Reed Original Painting and Auto-
graph Letter Signed. American artist (1938–2014) who for 45 years served as professor of painting and printmaking at the Yale School of Art, where he also became the first African-American to be appointed to the school’s tenured permanent faculty. In his artwork, Reed is known for his geometric abstraction and personalized symbols to create a language of abstraction. Original painting by artist Robert Reed from his ‘Plum Nellie’ series, accomplished in watercolor on 13 x 10.25 trimmed canvas, signed and inscribed along the bottom border in pencil, “For Judy & John, Best wishes, Bob.” Framed to a slightly larger size. Included with the artwork is an ALS signed “Bob,” one page, 13 x 4.5, no date (circa 1970s), forwarding the painting to the recipients, in part: “Warm thanks for thinking of me, and in a very special way...Enclosed is a little Plum Nellie for the New Year.” In very good to fine condition, with soiling to the edges, and dampstaining to the lower right of the painting. Starting Bid $200
644. Norman Rockwell Signed Book with Sketch. Signed
book: My Adventures as an Illustrator. First edition. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1960. Hardcover, 6.5 x 9.5, 436 pages. Thoughtfully signed and inscribed on the first free end page in fountain pen, “Greetings to Jane Fradenburgh, my former classmate, who can still beat me into print cause my son Tom wrote this book. Cordially, Norman Rockwell.” He adds a sketch of a child in a ghost costume below, and also signs on behalf of his son and ghostwriter Tom Rockwell. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Like father, like son, like grandson— a Wyeth family reunion
646. The Wyeth Family (6) Signed Items. Desirable lot of six
items signed by a member of the illustrious Wyeth family painters—N. C., Andrew, and Jamie. These include: Uncommon ALS from N. C. Wyeth, one page, 6.25 x 7.25, personal letterhead, November 14, 1930. Handwritten letter ordering from a catalog. Original sketch by Andrew Wyeth of a young girl in profile, accomplished in pencil on an off-white 7.75 x 5.75 sheet: “For Juli, from Andy.” Ink signature and inscription, “New Year greetings to Lincoln, with love, Andy,” that has been matted with a photo of a Wyeth nude entitled ‘Beauty Mark HS,’ the reverse of which bears his stamp; consignor notes that this photo derived from Wyeth’s own personal collection and was sent directly to the recipient. The half-title page from the Andrew Wyeth book First Impressions: “For Lincoln, with love, Andy, This is not the book of hours, but the book of horrors.” Color 24.25 x 21 lithograph of an Andrew Wyeth painting entitled ‘The Sauna,’ signed: “Andrew Wyeth, 32.” Color 6.5 x 4.75 postcard photo of Jamie Wyeth’s painting entitled ‘Wicker,’ signed and inscribed in black felt tip, “For Frank Sanders, Jamie Wyeth.” Each item is individually and archivally framed under non-glare museum-quality glass with acid-free matting, ranging in size from 11 x 9.25 to 32.5 x 29. In overall fine condition, with staining to the Andrew Wyeth ballpoint sketch. Starting Bid $500
