Raoul DUFY – “I’m quite tired of the work I’ve done again.”

Raoul DUFY (1877.1953)

Autographed letter signed to Madame Letourneaux.

Four pages in quarto. Autograph envelope, stamped and postmarked.

Perpignan. June 10, 1943.

"I'm quite tired of the work I've done again this year."

"My dearest Moune, Thank you for your letter and for everything you tell me about Emilienne's health. I am living in constant anxiety and I assure you that I long to see her again and to see her make the journey without too much fatigue. I wonder why she is leaving from Nice when she could travel by sleeper car to St. Raphaël. I am dreading the uncomfortable journey from Sainte-Maxime to Nice for her, and I have written to her to arrange an ambulance to take her either to Nice or to St. Raphaël. The doctor in Sainte-Maxime can provide the necessary certificate. Whatever the cost of this transport, I prefer it to any other option, and if it is feasible this way, I will be somewhat reassured. Please be so kind as to tell her all this and go see her in Sainte-Maxime. As this will incur expenses for you, I am taking the liberty of sending you a telegraphic order." Emilienne tells me in her letter of June 8th that she will leave Nice on the 21st. I ask you to check with her to see if this is not unwise; I would prefer to postpone the trip, even though I am eager to see her leave the coast. I confirmed to Madame Briand that what she had done was correct and that I will take possession of the reserved apartment at the Hôtel de l'Europe on June 15th. I am leaving Perpignan on the evening of the 14th. I am quite tired from the work I have done again this year ; the exhibition in Paris opened yesterday. When I am in Aix, I will get back to work a little, and I promise to think of you. As you will not have time to reply to me in Perpignan, you will write to me at the Hôtel de l'Europe in Aix. Thank you for everything you do for us. With love, Raoul Dufy.

The Louis Carré gallery organized a Dufy exhibition, on Avenue de Messine, in Paris, from June 9 to 30, 1943.