Edgar Degas
French painter and sculptor, 1834-1917
Degas was a French artist famous for his paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings. He is especially identified with the subject of dance; more than half of his works depict dancers. He is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism, although he rejected the term, preferring to be called a realist. He was a superb draftsman, and particularly masterly in depicting movement, as can be seen in his renditions of dancers, racecourse subjects and female nudes. His portraits are notable for their psychological complexity and for their portrayal of human isolation.
Source: Wikipedia
French painter and sculptor (1834–1917). Autograph letter signed („Degas“). Paris. 8vo. ¾ p. on double leaf.
$ 9,077 / 8.500 €
(44287)
Letter of introduction to Charles Deschamps, manager of Paul Durand-Ruel’s London art gallery: „Je vous présente votre compatriote Mr William Stott, mon ami. Vous devez le connaître certainement de réputation. Ayez la bonté de lui faire une bonne part de votre obligeance“. – By the late 1880s, Degas had already received international recognition as an important artist. In this letter, he introduces the burgeoning British painter William Stott-of-Oldham to Charles Deschamps, manager of the Galerie Durand-Ruel et Cie in Paris.
Exhibiting Impressionist works at his own galleries despite critics’ initial resistance, dealer Paul Durand-Ruel essentially created the market for Impressionism, establishing the biggest names in the movement, including Degas, Manet, Monet, Pissarro, and Renoir. A good word from one of his highly respected artists had the power to make a newcomer’s career, and it did just that for Stott. In 1889, he held his first one-man show at the Galerie to great critical reception, pushing him into the international art world. The established artist speaking out on behalf of an up-and-comer, this is a wonderful note involving three major figures in art history. – A light vertical fold through first letter of signature, a uniform shade of toning, a bit of trivial soiling, some stray ink flecks and a couple words a bit light due to decreased ink flow, otherwise fine condition..
peintre (1834-1917). Billet autographe signé à un ami. s.l.s.d. Oblong 8vo. 1 page.
$ 3,738 / 3.500 €
(44899)
Degas arrange un rendez-vous dans son atelier. « Cher ami, Je ne serai pas jeudi à l’atelier mais comptez sur demain. Jeanniot y sera pour votre échange. Bien à vous. Degas. Mardi matin. »
French painter and sculptor (1834-1917). Autograph letter signed („Degas"). [Paris. 8vo. 1p. Card letter with autogr. address.
$ 7,475 / 7.000 €
(47454)
To Monsieur Lalo in Paris, on an appointment and a meeting at Marchand: „J’ai su, (non pas vous puisque vous n’écrirez qu’au temps) que vous ne pourriez encore joindre Marchand. Dans la semaine prochaine laissez moi encore Mercredi. Donc, en somme, tous les jours seront bons, mon cher Lalo, sauf Mercredi et Vendredi. [J]’attends. Amitiés | Degas“.
Maler und Bildhauer (1834-1917). Eigenhändiger Brief mit Unterschrift. ohne Ort und Datum „Mardi“. 8vo. 1 p. Doppelblatt.
$ 3,738 / 3.500 €
(83459)
„Mon cher ami Je te verrai Vendredi chez ton frère, sans doute. Mais je crois bien que Mercredi en huit je serai à Genève. Dis à ces dames que je suis à l'atelier, sans modèle, tous ces jours ci, demain jeudi, et vendredi, de 2 h à 5 h. Tout de même j'aimerais mieux recevoir un mot pour m'incruster plus sûrement […]“
Maler und Bildhauer (1834-1917). Autograph letter signed ("Degas"). O. O. 4 SS. auf Doppelblatt. 8vo.
$ 3,417 / 3.200 €
(40992/BN21474)
To the writer and journlist Maurice Talmeyr (1850-1933): "Oui, il y a longtemps que je n'ai entendu les accents saccadés de votre bonne voix. Ma bonne me les lit quelquefois dans le Gaulois, mais ce n'est pas vous […]". - The addressee's name in the salutation as well as in the text blackened with ink; with two small cracks in the center crease.
Maler und Bildhauer (1834-1917). Autograph letter signed ("Degas"). No place or date. 8vo. 1 p.
$ 6,407 / 6.000 €
(33370/BN28460)
To an unknown recipient, wishing a happy New Year and stating that health problems prevented him from joining them that evening: "Ces souhaits de bonne année, chère Madame, je ne puis que vous les envoyer. Hier soir j'étais si courbaturé que je n'ai pas osé sortir […]". - Small traces of mounting.
French painter (1834-1917). Autograph letter signed. No place. 08.03.1887. 8vo. 2½ pp. on bifolium.
$ 6,941 / 6.500 €
(86154/BN57106)
To the lawyer and collector Paul-Arthur Chéramy (1840-1912) about the completion of three paintings promised to the baritone and collector Jean-Baptiste Faure, who had sued him, requiring another three months to finish the work, not daring to remind Faure of the sum of 500 francs per painting that he promised him earlier: "Vous m'avez demandé [...] quel temps il me faudrait, en allant au plus court et en faisant de l'ouvrage soigné, pour terminer les trois tableaux de Mr Faure. Les Grosses blanchisseuses, que Mr Faure a prises telles quelles et supportées chez lui pendant deux ans au moins, sont à peu près terminées.
Le plus long à finir serait le Champ de Courses. La blanchisseuse en silhouette est en bon état, non compliqué, et peut être menée vite. Je demande trois mois pour satisfaire mon poursuivant [...] Il me semble que je vous avais parlé d'une somme de 500 F par tableau achevé que Mr Faure m'avait un peu promise, autrefois. Je ne tiens pas à lui rappeler cette offre. Mr Faure a été trop longtemps mon créancier. Je l'ai fait trop attendre pour ne pas en rester là. N'en disons donc rien [...]". - In 1874, Degas had asked Faure to buy back for him from Durand-Ruel six paintings with which he was dissatisfied, undertaking to paint four large compositions in exchange. Twelve years later, when Degas had not finished some of these paintings, Faure successfully sued him for delivery. Chéramy was Degas' lawyer in the proceedings. - With a few tiny piercings..
French painter and sculptor (1834-1917). Autograph letter signed ("Degas"). N. p. o. d. 8vo. 4 pp. on bifolium.
$ 4,806 / 4.500 €
(91548/BN60869)
Interesting letter to a friend, probably Louis Braquaval, declining an invitation to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme due to health concerns, criticizing the luxurious salon of mutual friends, and reporting on the similarly fragile health of his maid Zoé Closier, as both appear to have suffered from a food poisoning. Degas also muses that the recipient "only wants to impress" him, adding that it is also his own desire to be impressed and announcing that one day he will take his friend by surprise in order to see who he really is.
In closing, Degas implies a possible visit to Saint Valery after Easter. - Edgar Degas met Louis Braquaval in 1896 in Saint-Valerie-sur-Somme and visited him several times thereafter. The two men became close friends and painting companions. In general, Degas was largely isolated in his later years, having lost many friends due to his difficult character. The letter gives testimony to Degas's peculiarities and his failing health. His maid Zoé Closier is known from a famous photographic self-portrait of Degas from ca. 1895 kept at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. - Professionally restored. Minor browning and stains..
sold
E. Brief mit U.
Autograph ist nicht mehr verfügbar
Edgar Degas (1834–1917), Maler und Bildhauer. E. Brief mit U. („Degas“). [Paris, November 1893]. ¾ S. Kl.-8°. Mit e. Adresse (Kartenbrief). – An die Gattin seines Freundes Clermont mit der Mitteilung, daß der Kürbis nicht für ihn sei: „[...] Mardi je dine chez Bartholomé [...]“. – Mit dem Bildhauer Paul Albert Bartholomé (1848–1928) zusammen hatte Degas u. a. drei Jahre zuvor eine Reise von Burgund nach Paris unternommen. – Stark gebräunt und etwas lichtrandig; die Adreßseite mit kleinen Montagespuren.
E. Brief mit U.
Autograph ist nicht mehr verfügbar
Edgar Degas (1834–1917), Maler und Bildhauer. E. Brief mit U. O. O. u. D. („Dimanche“). 1 Seite auf Doppelblatt. 8°. – An eine Dame mit Dank für eine Einladung für kommenden Sonntag; gerne wolle er kommen und mit ihr und ihren Kindern speisen.