Raoul DUFY organizes his painting work and his exhibition. 1942.

Raoul DUFY (1877.1953)

Autographed letter to Madame Letourneaux.

Three quarto pages. Autograph envelope, stamped and postmarked.

Perpignan. May 18, 1942.

"I still have a lot of work to do to prepare for my exhibition. It's a battle I have to win."

In the midst of World War II, Dufy worried about the forced separation from his wife and organized his painting work for a future exhibition.

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"My dear friend, I don't know how many letters I have to reply to, but I've read them all and I'm touched by all the trouble you're taking for us. I'm so reassured by your presence with Emilienne and then with Suzanne. The best way to thank you would be to send you a watercolor. I'm not doing that because I don't have one that's beautiful enough, but tomorrow I'll send you some money for your expenses in the meantime. I wrote to Suzanne and Germaine that whatever you decide together will be fine. The idea is to keep things simple, not to complicate things in order to save money, and above all, for Suzanne, peace and quiet. I was happy to hear she was feeling better (...) The waters at Néris will do her good. Germaine will take care of her while you look after Emilienne. I so want to see her calm and happy." I was very sad to be away from her, but how could I have received better care than if I had stayed here with my friend Nicolau and all the support I had, which allowed me to work as if I were perfectly healthy? Now, I still have a great deal of work to do to prepare my exhibition. It's a battle I must win, and I'm hopeful I will. So, as soon as Emilienne is in Sainte-Maxime, we'll spend a few days together before you leave and I return to Perpignan to my little studio to resume my work . After October, we'll all get together, and I'll get some rest. I wonder then, will the war be over, and will we be able to return to our home in Paris, in peace and good health? I would very much like that. Is that too much to ask? I'm working, but to be on the right track, I need a lot of rest, so the letters are piling up, and replying late makes me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I keep putting it off until tomorrow, and the next few days, and while continuing my letter, I feel I haven't answered anything you wrote to me (…) You won't be able to have a watercolor until I come to Sainte-Maxime. Please don't be angry with me, and write to me soon. I'm writing to Gallibert at the same time. I'd like to find it at home when I come, and if the view is beautiful and she likes the scenery, it should stay. I want to see all of you when I arrive.