In the mountains, Marie LAURENCIN is recovering from a nervous breakdown.

Marie Laurencin (1883.1956)

Autographed letter signed to a friend.

Two octavo pages on letterhead from a hotel in Haute-Savoie.

Undated – August 22

"I couldn't do anything anymore because I was so afraid of what I was doing."

Marie Laurencin is recovering from a nervous breakdown in the mountains.

__________________________________________

"My dear friend, I was troubled by your letter. Of course, one must be able to leave everything behind to truly rest. That's what I did. Before leaving, it was impossible for me to see a friend, and especially not to look at my work. I could go without eating! Fortunately, Monsieur Hautecoeur [Louis Hautecoeur] (appointed by the Swiss as curator of the Geneva museum), who was passing through Paris, reminded me of the Guichardaz family, my former paint merchants, and I immediately wrote."

True, true rest. Already transformed, I walk in the mountains through sun, rain, and storms. I walk three kilometers to find a lending library! Suzanne [his adopted daughter] is with me, which saves me from spending money and talking. We're returning on September 4th. I know this sort of Parisian nervous breakdown. If I think about returning, I get a little scared. We'll come see you at the Hôtel Massa to show you how we look, if we're still okay. If it will reassure you, Suzanne will tell you how I couldn't do anything anymore because I was so afraid of what I was doing . Besides, I don't yet know what it will be like when I get back! With warmest regards, Your Marie Laurencin.