André Breton quotes the surrealist precepts of Marcel Duchamp.

André Breton (1896.1966)

Autographed letter signed to Maurice Fourré.

Two pages in quarto.

Paris. December 15, 1950.

"In Surrealism, we happily live on this pragmatic idea, once stated by Marcel Duchamp, that an insulting article of 21 lines is preferable to a panegyric of 20 lines." 

André Breton offered his friendly support to Maurice Fourré, who was desperate over the attacks and criticisms he received following the publication of his first novel.

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“Dear Sir and Friend, I sense you are somewhat affected by the perfidy of certain press reports and echoes ; I should have warned you that they were inevitable and urged you not to lose your admirable composure over such a trifle. This poison has been directed against me with far too much persistence for me not to have long since become immune, but I understand that it personally surprises and even affects you. Mr. Rousseaux, of Le Figaro littéraire , has been eyeing me for some time and seeks to get to me indirectly if necessary: ​​nothing too serious. Saillet and Nadeau, since “Flagrant Délit,” are even more malicious. And what to say of the short article in Opéra ? Suffice it to say that this newspaper is now headed by the former director of France-Dimanche : to rival his past, you can well imagine that he will have to cross the line into infamy. All I regret is that this has come to your attention.”

In Surrealism, we happily live by this pragmatic idea, once expressed by Marcel Duchamp, that a 21-line insulting article is preferable to a 20-line panegyric (and perhaps even a 40-line one). Therefore, we maintain no relations with journalistic or even "literary" circles (which is why I have never been seen at Gallimard receptions, and the letters that imprudent correspondents send me to the "Society of Men of Letters" are returned marked "Unknown"). I hope, dear Mr. Fourré, that the sad actions we are discussing will leave your luminous path untarnished. Yours sincerely, André Breton.

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Maurice Fourré (1876-1959) began his writing career at the venerable age of 74, with the publication of his novel * La Nuit du Rose-Hôtel* in the "Révélation" collection, specially created by André Breton at Gallimard. Fourré would remain the first and only author in this collection launched by Breton.

The novel-poem with erotic overtones, La Nuit du Rose-Hôtel, was enthusiastically received by Gaston Bachelard and Jean Cocteau, but was shunned by the public.

Deeply affected by this failure and by the criticism, Fourré nevertheless wrote three more novels before his death in 1959.