Description:

Edouard Manet ALS to French Playwright Regarding Play "Le Parricide"

A 1p autograph letter in French signed by artist Edouard Manet (1832-1883) as "Ed. Manet" at lower right. Presumably written in Paris, France. No date except "Thursday," but context suggests ca. 1873-1874. On bifold stationery with the address of Manet's art studio, "4 Rue Saint Petersbourg" embossed in maroon at upper right. The inner pages are blank. Expected wear including paper folds and light, even toning. Partially erased pencil notations from a former collector can be found along the left margin. Else near fine. 4" x 6.25." Accompanied by a souvenir French stamp depicting Manet's painting "Madame Manet on a Blue Sofa" (1874). Provenance: Ex-Noel Goldblatt (ca. 1926-2003) of the famous Goldblatt's Department Store, to a prominent Los Angeles, California collector.

Edouard Manet wrote this letter to Adolphe Belot (1829-1890), a popular French playwright, short story writer, and novelist. The letter refers directly to Belot's play "Le Parricide: Drama in Five Acts and Seven Scenes," originally published in Paris by Edouard Dentu in 1873. The play, which is still published in new editions today, was apparently a crime story involving circus performers!

Translated in full:

"Thursday

My dear Belot,

It would be very agreeable to us to go see le parricide [sic]; the play is very moving and succeeded in touching me [?].

I have an engagement for Friday: - thus for Saturday '&' we'd like it well.

Best wishes
Ed. Manet."

We suggest a possible date of circa 1873-1874 considering that the publication date of Belot's work (1873) perfectly coincides with the period in which Manet worked at his rue Saint Petersbourg studio, (1872-1878.) 4, Rue Saint Petersbourg is located near the Place de l'Europe in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.

Manet played a critically important role in nineteenth-century French art, as both his painterly treatment and subject matter marked transitions between two artistic schools, the Realists and the Impressionists. Two of Manet's large-scale oil paintings from 1863 scandalized Parisian society but are today prominently displayed at the Musée d'Orsay. These are: "Olympia," depicting a nude courtesan attended by a black female servant; and "Le Déjeuner Sur L'Herbe," showing the same nude model seated at an outdoor picnic accompanied by two fully dressed men. Manet's iconoclasm paved the way for the Impressionists.

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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