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Henri Matisse Autograph Letter Signed with a Sketch and a Postscript Signed with Initials. ...
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Description
Matisse writes about the struggles of Pierre-Auguste Renoir in the last years of his life and includes a sketch of one of his paintings
Henri Matisse Autograph Letter Signed with a Sketch and a
Postscript Signed with Initials. Four pages, "Nice, Chemin
du Mont-Alban Villa des Allies;" May 10, 1918. A long letter in
French to Michael and Sarah Stein written six months after arriving
in Nice. Matisse describes his first room at the Hotel Beau Rivage,
and includes a sketch of his Expressionist painting, My Room at
the Beau-Rivage. Additional great art content describing
Pierre-Auguste Renoir and his work. The letter reads, in part:
"... I have been in Nice for 6 months - having come to rest here
for 3 weeks - The light is so beautiful than my hotel which is on
the quays - Hotel Beau Rivage, someone suddenly bought 2 of my
canvases of 15, one to be able to take the other, and I set to
work. So I made a picture of my window or rather with my window -
The window opened two large tulle curtains that allow to shine the
blue sky - the room's striped paper and pink 'crapaud' chair with
white bodyshaper on the right a table with dark red cover (a bit
vermillion in shade) and a small yellow suitcase on the wall on the
left the few coat racks, at the bottom of the window we see the
head of a palm tree swaying in the wind - on the right wall a white
door leading into the next room - Then it has come out bad and how
I had the 2nd canvas, I did a portrait in the mirror, and I found
myself thus geared up ready to go - Since then I have done a lot of
other paintings - landscapes of the still lifes of flowers and
above all, I think I have made progress. I've often wished to have
your judgment you who know me so well... If you had the opportunity
to go to Paris you could go to Bernheim to whom I have sent a
number of canvases - especially the open windows. It is curious
that the open window of Collioure that was requested by
[Ambroise] Vollard of me, to redo others, continues in Nice how
many years later...I have had the good fortune to see Renoir often - I think I have benefited a lot in mood... Often I said when we see Renoir we do not have the right to find ourselves unhappy - he has certainly given me great courage - It is beautiful to be able to consider an honest work life - he suffers again not to be a better artist - what example - and what independence of mind, with the admiration that he has for the painters who preceded him - He is still working constantly - so he forgets his pains and annoyances... When Renoir feels tenderized he throws himself into a canvas with a kind of rage. This is really what I have seen more beautifully - all these days, he has suffered a lot, he had a start of gangrene on his foot - we were close to cutting off his big toe. He worked constantly he was suffering - I don't know how he does it - it must be said that if he is always in progress - there are still sketches, a lot of sketches - He must have the reasoning of Van Gogh - solid workers too - he said. In all this, there will be good. We have already said Renoir painted as the bird sings. It's not fair because he goes to great lengths and worry. He told me: I'm not sure, that's why I do a lot of sketches. He has just made a picture (of 30) of superb bathers. He told me I'm not happy it's not enough Courbet (I don't know if he was only thinking about fullness of the painting or to the soul that is there I rather believe that it is the first quality - although one goes with the other) - Finally I saw with him things that will last me I believe my whole life..." Signed, "Henri Matisse."
He adds a postscript: "I forgot to tell you that I showed my painting to Renoir, he was very impressed and told me the painting is good, and what frankness... It is new and it is a good painting he repeated..." Signed, "HM."
Matisse met Michael and Sarah Stein years earlier. Michael was the older brother of Gertrude and Leo Stein. He and Sarah were avid art collectors and supporters of Matisse. They bought their first Matisse painting in 1905 at the Salon d'Automne. The Steins were still living in France when this letter was written.
Matisse moved to Nice in 1917. Although he had intended only to visit, he ended up living there for decades so moved was he by the light. This letter describes in great colorful detail his painting My Room at the Beau-Rivage, and even includes a sketch that matches the final composition.
The content on fellow painter Renoir is excellent, and heartfelt as it describes the struggles Renoir faced in making art during the final years of his life. He makes mention of one of Renoirs most noted canvases, The Bathers. Renoir worked on The Bathers in 1918 and 1919, and died at the end of that year.
Condition: Toned and creased along flattened folds with wear and separations, including multiple cello tape repairs that have caused staining.
Auction Info
2023 September 21 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6272 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2023
21st
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 356
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