Lot n° 130
Estimation :
4000 - 6000
EUR
Result without fees
Result
: 3 000EUR
MONTESQUIOU, Robert de (1855-1921), homme de lettres, poète et dandy, ami de Proust.
54 L.A.S. to art critic and curator Henry Lapauze (1867-1925). Paris, Neuilly, Saint-Moritz, Charnizay, Artagnan, New York, "Pavillon des Muses", "Palais Rose" [Le Vésinet], 1898-1912, 1921 et seq. 143 pp. in-8, in-4 and in-12.
Beautiful and moving correspondence, friendly, artistic and literary. It often refers to his works and to Lapauze's account of them in Le Gaulois. He also evokes his conferences (including those he gave in New York), their common acquaintances, evenings, his collections, etc. until their break-up, which ends with a letter of 13 pp. in-4 (Nov. 1912). About a drawing by Ingres. "First of all, my dear confrere, I would like to point out to you that here I am, on your behalf, facing this form of indignity which threatens complacent collectors, to whom one ends up contesting the authenticity of art objects communicated or loaned by them on instant request. Blush! The drawing is signed "Ingres" and dated 1835. What, in my opinion, and contrary to your insinuation, signs it more, is precisely its inimitable doing. So much so that if, against all likelihood, the work was by another master, we would have to regret it for Ingres... As for the model, the attribution is less certain. It was given to me for a teenage Liszt, and it's likely. But I'm not saying anything, and besides, I don't care. To sum up, if it had seemed to me, first of all, regrettable that this iniquitous treatment came from you, I preferred it afterwards, because of many good and unforgettable offices that allow me to forgive you [...]". "Since we are suppressing the drawing, let us replace it by this small piece that will serve as a resting place, between the two others, and let us strike a great blow of verse. The three pieces (this number is necessary to fix the attention,) are some of the best I've made. Make our dear Galdemar favourable to this project, and tell him that it is not I who is asking for Gaulo.
My orders
Sale information
Sales conditions
Return to catalogue