Johan Barthold Jongkind
Dutch painter and printmaker, 1819-1891
Jongkind’s most frequent subject was the marine landscape, which he painted both in the Netherlands and in France. Many of his works depict the Seine, particularly the area near Notre-Dame Cathedral. He painted watercolors out-of-doors, and used them as sketches for oil paintings made in his studio. His paintings are characterized by vigorous brushwork and strong contrasts. Some experts regard him as a forerunner of Impressionism; his work obtained great recognition by impressionist painters like Claude Monet or Paul Signac.
Source: Wikipedia
Dutch painter (1819-1891). Autograph letter signed. Rotterdam. 8vo. 3 pages.
$ 4,590 / 4.000 €
(44900)
Long and insightful letter to his art dealer and friend Pierre-Firmin Martin, thanking him for the payment for one of his paintings depicting ice skaters, announcing to send another variation of that motif, and asking for an advancement: "J’ai reçu hier soir votre lettre du 28, et je vous remercie pour l’envoye de cents francs. Je suis heureux par le succes et de tout ce que vous dit, et que mon tableau, les patineurs plaise tant ; je vous remercie aussi pour la nouvelle que M. Marchand a reçu mon tableau, il m’a pas encore écrit.
Maintenant je travaille à un autre tableau des patineurs effet d’hiver et lequelle tableau je vous annonce par celle-ci, je vous l’envoyerai lundi prochain ainsi qu’il sera arrivé à votre adresse mardi ou mercredi. Et je vous prie comme d’habitude de me donner tout de suite la nouvelle de la bonne réception. Mon bon Martin, si vous pouvez m’envoyer l’autre cents francs vers 10 mai vous m’obligerai beaucoup. En attendant mon noble ami aussi je ne peux pas vous dire la chose agréable car mon esprit est souffrant ou plutot on me fait beaucoup souffrir, sans que je peut faire des reproches. Il faut espéré que le bon Dieu me soutiendra vies à vies de toutes ce que j’éprouve. Maintenant je termine celle ci et je souhaite de toutes cœur que votre santé soit bon et bon succès dans les affaires [...]". In a short postscript, he expresses his desire to return to France, where his "true friends" are, although he will "wait a bit longer": "Je commence avoir le vive désir pour retourné [!] en France et pour revoir mes vraies amis, cependant j'attendrai encore un peu". - Jongkind had left Paris and returned to the Netherlands in 1855 due to his disastrous financial situation. However, he never felt at home in Rotterdam, suffering mentally and physically. With Martin's help, he exhibited at the Salon of Dijon in 1858 and won a second prize. Finally, in 1860, he was able to return to Paris, relying on a network of friends and patrons..
Dutch painter (1819-1891). Autograph letter signed. Paris. 8vo. 3 pp. With red seal.
$ 5,164 / 4.500 €
(47034)
To thank a Mr. Bascle for sending him the catalogue of the Bordeaux exposition, where Bascle had been in charge of exhibiting some of Jongkind's works: "J'ai reçu hier le catalogue de l'exposition de Bordeaux. [...] Je reconnais dans le catalogue beaucoup de noms de peintre, autant français que étranger. En attendant, je ne doute pas que vous avez choisi de mes tableaux lesquelles vous avez cru le plus heureux [...]". - Virtually unknown to a broader audience, the landscape painter Jongkind is widely regarded as a forerunner of impressionism.
As he saw very limited success in the official Salons, he exhibited in the first Salon des Refusés in 1863. Admired by the young impressionists, particularly Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro, the group invited him to join their first exhibition in 1874, which he declined..
Dutch painter and printmaker (1819-1891). Autograph letter signed. Paris. 2 1/2 pp. 8vo. With address and stamp.
$ 2,869 / 2.500 €
(93115)
To Mr. Martin of the Magasin de tableaux. Jongkind expresses satisfaction with the morning visit and the positive reception of a small painting called "Maurice." „I am pleased with your visit this morning and that little Maurice pleased you; that you took with you, as you mentioned, the next small painting which, in your opinion, is successful and very marketable. I kindly ask you to keep the price in mind to increase the value of my work. P.S.: I have just received a letter from a friend who is waiting for the painting you just took with you.“ „Je suis content de votre visite de ce matin et que le petit maurice vous ai plu ; que vous avez emporté comme ce petit tableau suivant votre avis est réussi et très vendable.
Je vous prie de tenir pris, afin d'augmenter la valeur de mon travaille. PS : Je reçois à l'instant une lettre d'un ami qui attend après le tableau que vous venez de m'emporté […]“.
Dutch painter (1819-1891). Autograph letter signed. Nevers. 8vo. 4 pp.
$ 3,443 / 3.000 €
(97065)
To M. Lavergne. War of 1870. He managed to leave Paris "on the last day when passage was free to leave, and when all the Northern railways were already taken, so I left by the Brittany railway," with Mme Fesser. They are in Nevers, where they have some friends, but the city is extremely unsettled due to troop movements and the military, and he is worried. He wishes to go to Bordeaux, from where he hopes to board a commercial Dutch or French steamboat to reach Rotterdam, provided the connection is functioning and they are taking passengers.
He has been unwell for a long time, "but since the war, I feel a deep sadness over all of France’s misfortunes." He awaits a response as soon as possible "if I decide to leave and have the right information." He provides his address in Nevers..
Dutch painter (1819-1891). Autograph document signed ("J B Jongkind"). Rotterdam. 4to. 1 p.
$ 2,066 / 1.800 €
(95773/BN63567)
Shipping order to a Dutch railroad company to transport Jongkind's painting "Paysage Hollandais, effet de soleil couchant" to the art dealer Pierre-Firmin Martin in Paris: "Le soussigné déclare d'envoyer par l'administration du chemin de fer Hollandais Belge à l'adresse de Monsieur Martin, rue Mogador, n° 20 au coin de la rue St Nicolas à Paris, une caisse e bois marquée J contenant un tableau peint à l'huile représentant un paysage Hollandais, dans les environs de Rotterdam, Effet de une [!] soleil couchant.
Valeur du tableau 300,- francs". The painting would be exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1859 and win a third class medal. - In 1855 Jongkind had been forced to leave Paris and return to the Netherlands due to his disastrous financial situation. However, he never felt at home in Rotterdam, suffering mentally and physically, while also continuing to accrue debt. With Martin's help, he exhibited at the Salon of Dijon in 1858 and won a second prize and the Paris Salon of 1859. Worried by his mental state and grave financial situation, a group of his friends, including Camille Corot, Charles Daubigny, Gustave Doré, Jules Dupré, and Théodore Rousseau, organized a charity auction of Jongkind's and their own works at Drouot on 7 April 1860. The proceedings enabled them to settle Jongkind's debt and facilitate his much-desired return to Paris. Today Jongkind, who later in his life mentored younger friends such as Alfred Sisley and Claude Monet, is regarded as an important forerunner of impressionism..