Description:

Marc Chagall TLS: "I am happy to know that you are still Chagallien. It is a joy that helps one believe in oneself…"

A 1p typed letter in French signed by modern artist Marc Chagall (1887-1985) as "Marc Chagall" at lower right. Written in Vence, France on March 24, 1957 on a single leaf of stationery with "'Les Collines' / Vence / (A.M.)" [trans: "'The Hills' / Vence A[lpes] M[aritimes]"] letterhead. Two edits in black felt tip pen at the beginning of the letter are also in Chagall's hand. Expected wear including minor paper folds and a few wrinkles. Isolated marginal closed tears, else near fine. 8.25" x 10.5." Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope featuring Chagall's typed signature verso. Bearing the usual cancelled stamps and philatelic markings, and letter-opened at top.

Chagall wrote this letter to his friends Mr. and Mrs. Adolphe Juviler, devoted collectors of modern art whose collection included works by Chagall himself.

Translated in full, with punctuation silently added to improve clarity:

"March 24, I957

Dear friends,

I was pleased to see your letter announcing your trip to Europe.

I see that everything is going well for you and I rejoice.

I learned with pleasure about the marriage of your son and the happiness of his choice. I understand and I share your joy in this matter.

I am happy to know that you are still Chagallien. It is a joy that helps one believe in one's self…

Regarding your artistic ideas, we will speak about them when you are here.

At this moment, I must work a lot on an exhibition that is being prepared at the Bibliothèque Nationale, in June-July, on engravings; at the same time, at Maeght, an exhibition of pictures will equally take place.

For almost a year, I have had exhibitions at Basel, at Bern, at Amsterdam and at Brussels. You see, my pictures travel.

We rejoice in the prospect of seeing you again and, until then, we send you both our cordial best wishes.

[signed] Marc Chagall."

Chagall's gratitude that his friends were still "Chagallien" is humbling. Over the last 45 years, Chagall had produced hundreds of paintings, prints, ceramics, sculpture, and other media that were displayed in art galleries and museums throughout the world, yet he still appreciated the validation offered by friends who had collected his work for over ten years.

1956-1957 proved to be a busy time during Chagall's life. He mentioned two Parisian exhibitions that would launch in a few months, "Marc Chagall: Exhibition of Engravings" at the Galerie Mansart at the Bibliothèque Nationale; and a collection of his works on display at the Galerie Maeght, a contemporary art gallery established by French art dealer Aimé Maeght in 1946. Other Chagall expositions were ongoing in Europe. These included Chagall exhibitions at the Kunsthalle at Bern, Switzerland, "Oeuvres de 1950 à 1956"; at the Kunsthalle at Basel, Switzerland, "Oeuvres des 25 dernières années"; at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, Belgium; and at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. One of Chagall's featured works from these 1956-1957 exhibitions was "Le Grand Cirque" [trans: "The Big Circus"], a monumental oil and gouache on canvas depicting circus performers.

Very little information can be found about Chagall's correspondent, Adolphe Juviler. He was French-speaking, and possibly a naturalized citizen of the United States. Juviler served as the chairman of the Olympic Radio and Television Inc., of Long Island City, and was also the president of International Resistance Company, a manufacturer of resistors,  key components of early televisions. Juviler channeled his business acumen into art collecting.

Juviler's art collection was described by "Time" Magazine in 1961 as "a choice, if uneven, selection of modern paintings, sculpture, and drawings" which included works by Marc Chagall, Pierre Bonnard, and Chaim Soutine. In the fall of 1961, Juviler and his wife decided to thin out his art collection. The prestigious Manhattan auction house Parke-Bernet Galleries handled the sale of 39 works of art, garnering over $1 million in sales, and enabling the wealthy couple from New York and Palm Beach to devote more time to travel.

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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