Description:

Edgar Degas
[Paris, France], n.d.
Edgar Degas ALS Re: Opera and Vegetables! With PSA LOA
ALS
Edgar Degas (1834-1917). Autograph Letter Signed, "Degas", 4pp, in French, on bifold black-bordered mourning stationery measuring 4" x 6.5", [Paris, France], no date. Expected folds and creases. Minor ink smudging scattered throughout and at the start of Degas's signature. Otherwise, in near fine condition. With typed translation. Accompanied by an RR Auction Certificate and a Letter of Authenticity by PSA/DNA.

Degas writes to a friend discussing the opera, with mentions of French composer and music critic Ernest Reyer (1823-1909) and French operatic soprano Rose Caron (1857-1930). In full and translated to English: "It's there, I looked at it again this morning, with its nates' clefts on its red loins - as Goncourt thought and wrote when his friend Bartholome sent him a pumpkin. We will eat it on Sunday, in a soup, my dear friend, I and a few people who care for opera, and who know how to eat. I'll try not to eat more than they, but less, instead.

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 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.

Le Rhythm, Le Rhythm! I hope that your good wife will give it back to me some day soon, in front of the infamous Reyer, the lord of the score. That pumpkin is finely etched, isn't it? Ah! If one could only draw like that. A noble basin with rounded shoulders. If there are no adults who wish to allow themselves to be seen (Sabine?) there are children there too. I've written a short note to your sister-in-law. Please give her my best. My respects to both of you. I should like to hear from you, as long as you don't talk about vegetables." Postscript: "Wednesday - any news?"

Regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism, Degas rejected the term, preferring to be called a realist. His frequent visits to the opera, ballet, and concerts provided him with plenty of subjects for his artwork. Two of these subjects are mentioned in the present letter: rough drawings of Reyer can be found in Degas's sketchbooks circa 1877; Degas painted a portrait of Caron circa 1892.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Provenance: RR Auction Certificate and PSA/DNA LOA.
  • Dimensions: 4" x 6.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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