Lot 683
Gustave Courbet Letter Finds the Artist Penniless in Paris. Light age-toning, with mounting traces along extreme left edge, otherwise fine. Accompanied by a translation. (1819-1877) Influential and prolific French painter who with Daumier and Milllet founded the mid-19th-century art movement known as Realism, a deliberate turn away from Romanticism which brought the everyday world into the canvass of art and effected a lasting impact on the history of painting.
Autograph Letter Signed. One page, Octavo, in French, with integral address leaf addressed in Courbet's hand, Paris, Rue Haute-Feuille 32, postmarked August 18, 1856. To Monsieur Pierre Edouart. Writing during a period of embarrassing poverty, Courbet tells his friend he will be unable to join him in the country as they had planned:
"Dear Pierre: I have to stay in Paris until Wednesday morning because I have no money. I will be very happy if you could give me 100 francs. I am sorry that I couldn't visit you in the country, but I had also promised to go to Bourges to paint. I am relying on your goodwill. Sincerely yours, G. Courbet."
It is surprising to find Courbet in such dire straits only a year after creating such a stir with The Artists Studio (1855, Musée d'Orsay), a huge painting which disingenuously presents the artist in his studio working on a landscape painting, being studiously ignored by the Parisian society gathered together in his chambers. During this same period Courbet issued a provocative manifesto expounding his social realist credo of art and life. Although history tells us that at this time Courbet enjoyed great popularity, he was obviously not being well paid for it.
Fine.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
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| Realized $805 |
