Georges ROUAULT - Extraordinary letter enriched with a drawing of Christ.

Georges ROUAULT (1871.1958)

Autograph letter signed to his friend André Suarès.

Four pages in-4°. (July-August) 1930.

Superb letter enriched with a drawing by the artist depicting the face of Christ, an emblematic subject of Rouault's work.

Fascinating document in which Rouault discusses his delay in delivering his paintings to Ambroise Vollard and his illustrations of Les Fleurs du Mal by Charles Baudelaire.

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“Excuse me my dear Suarès, after this painful accident, you must understand, I am so late with everything I was able to undertake in the past. In addition, I am increasingly concerned about the resumption of paintings for AV (Ambroise Vollard) which have been postponed indefinitely for 9 years because of the works. So I have just concluded with AV himself , worried about the disbursements made for so long an arrangement. I had to reluctantly set a date. I must not forget that he waited 8 months after me and that nothing good was done during my illness. I plan to put you before “Les Fleurs du Mal”, 30 woodwinds to do for Cirque; perhaps as much for Passion; plus 60 to 70 for the Fleurs du Mal. That will be 130-150 things that need to be ready around February-March, if that's all I had, but…. (…) If I had known where all this would take me, lead me, I would have accepted half as many works. Pity me as I pity you – in another sense – you know it well – and never doubt it and if you want to give me proof of affection, appeal to my good will if you need me – under all reports – but this awful weather is devouring me like that awful fire did a year ago. I still have small offensive episodes of edema but it's not much in comparison, and I know how to take care of myself, which is something, and I take care of myself... which is very annoying, but it is even more painful to Be sick. As soon as I see a clearing, count on me, you will be notified. »

The last five lines of the letter are crossed out.

Rouault draws the face of Christ in full page, the sign of his initials, and specifies under his work: " I made a horrible pâté with the finished letter in the middle of this page, so I tried to get away with it as I could. »

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We attach a copy of a letter from Isabelle Rouault, daughter of the artist, authenticating the document, specifying the date and explaining the accident that occurred to her father in January 1930: “ Disguised as Santa Claus to entertain children, the fire took at his clothes and his hands were injured – It took my father months to recover. »

In 1911, on the occasion of an article by André Suarès on Ingres, Georges Rouault wrote to him. From that day dates a friendship which lasted more than thirty years. Their correspondence is published by Gallimard.