Antoine BOURDELLE is preparing a vertical stone base for his bronze sculpture.

Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929)

Autographed letter signed to the architect Alfred Rome.

Two quarto pages illustrated and highlighted with watercolor. Envelope.

Slight traces of adhesive on the back.

Paris. June 2, 1922.

"My discipline is such that I don't get tired, and I'm happier when I'm working on my job than when I'm neglecting it."

Superb illustrated letter from the French sculptor preparing a bronze sculpture overlooking a vertical stone base.

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"Dear friend Rome, Here's how I envision the stone base, which will then be patinated simply with iron oxide, leaving a golden tone. A straight, flared stele (A+A grade) for stability, but weight is also a factor. No packaging costs, but will you receive the bronze on time?" 

Dimensions – height 1.35m. Width to scale in drawing AA with flared base for solid seating.

Thank you so much, dear friends. I'm kept very busy. An enormous amount of work. Because it's all done and redone by myself. hugely behind on my monuments! Will I even have a vacation this year? I don't know—I know I shouldn't. My discipline is such that I don't get tired, and I'm happier when I'm working on something than when I abandon it. Perhaps I'll go to Italy by car—but I don't dare count on it.

You can imagine how happy we would have been to come – alas, that's the word we must use. I don't know where to begin my work, how to catch up on my delays. There was no need to send the 4,000 we received by check.

Do you think that, at my slow pace, the bronze will arrive soon enough? My warmest regards to all of you, both large and small. If you photograph the bronze on the column in the museum, please include the three ladies, the two tall ones and the very short one… With haste, and to all of you. Ant. Bourdelle. 

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