Description:

Matisse Henri

Henri Matisse TLS Re: Fellow Modern French Sculptor, Aristide Maillol

 

1p typed letter in French signed by modern artist Henri Matisse (1869-1954) as "Henri Matisse" at bottom. Written in Vence, France on December 21, 1944. On cream paper. Expected light paper folds, else near fine. 5.25" x 8.25". Also comes with one telegram and three postal covers directed to the same recipient, including one signed "H. Matisse".

 

Matisse's probable correspondent was Jean Dagron of Nice, France, the journalist and art critic of the same name.

 

Translation:

 

"Vence, 21 Dec. 1944

 

Mr. DAGRON.

NICE.

 

Dear Sir,

 

I thank you for your good letter of the 30th last [November 30]. But it is absolutely impossible to occupy myself at this time with a catalog of my printed works because I don't have the necessary documents for that.

 

Regarding Maillol's statue, the opinion that the moment was ill-chosen is confirmed. One must wait several months.

 

Please believe, Dear Sir, the expression of my best sentiments.

 

Henri Matisse".

 

Henri Matisse had moved to the mountainous village of Vence, located near the French-Italian border halfway between Nice and Antibes, in 1943 to avoid bombardment during World War II. Was his wartime relocation to Provence the reason why he could not comply with Dagron's request for a catalogue raisonée?

 

Aristide Maillol (1861-1944) was a French sculptor, painter, and printmaker best known for his monumental sculptures of nude recumbent figures. The context of the letter suggests that perhaps either Matisse or Dagron was contemplating undertaking a statue depicting Maillol since Maillol had died two months before in an automobile accident. Yet perhaps Matisse reasoned that the posthumous tribute needed more time before launching: "One must wait several months."

 

The lot also includes:

 

2. Envelope dated June 14, 1946 inscribed in Matisse's hand and signed by him as "H. Matisse / 132 Bd Montparnasse / Paris" in the return address section at lower left. Bearing a cancelled 3 franc Marianne stamp. Letter-opened at top.

 

3. November 21, 1944 telegram addressed to Monsieur Dagron, with the following message (presumably in the clerk's hand): "Unless contrary opinion we will wait / Sunday 3 pm / Matisse". Stamped verso at upper right. Expected wear.

 

4. Envelope dated December 21, 1944 and addressed to Monsieur Dagron. Bearing a cancelled 1.50 franc Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow stamp and letter-opened at bottom.

 

5. Envelope dated December 26, 194[?] and addressed to Monsieur Dagron. Bearing a cancelled 2 franc Marianne stamp. Letter-opened at bottom.

 

Several years after this correspondence, and despite being bed-ridden and wheelchair-bound following abdominal cancer surgery, Matisse completed one of his self-proclaimed masterpieces: the decoration of the Chapel of the Rosary in Vence between 1948-1951. Matisse's convalescence led him to experiment with decoupage. The chapel for a chapter of Dominican nuns would later be entirely decorated by Matisse, literally from floor to ceiling. Matisse's design can be seen in the roof, doors, murals, stained glass, fonts, ecclesiastical garments, crucifix, and candlesticks.

 

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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