Raoul DUFY organizes his painting work and his exhibition. 1942.

Raoul DUFY (1877.1953)

Autograph letter to Madame Letourneaux.

Three pages in-4°. Stamped and canceled autograph envelope.

Perpignan. May 18, 1942.

“I still have a lot of work to do in preparing my exhibition. This is a battle I must win. »

In the midst of the World War, Dufy worries about the forced separation from his wife and organizes his painting work for a future exhibition.

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“My dear friend, I don’t know how many letters I have to respond to, but I have read them all and I am touched by all the trouble you take for us. In the distance, I am very reassured by your presence with Emilienne and then with Suzanne. The best way to thank you would be to send you a watercolor. I don't do it because I don't have any nice enough, but tomorrow I'll send you some money for your expenses in the meantime. I wrote to Suzanne and Germaine that whatever you decide together will be good. The principle is that you have to make things simple to do, not complicate things in order to save money, and above all for Suzanne, peace and quiet. I was happy to know her better (…) The waters in Néris will do her good. Germaine will take care of her while you take care of Emilienne. I would really like to see her calm and happy. I was very sad to be away from her but how could I have been so well taken care of than by staying here with my friend Nicolau and all the facilities that I had and which allowed me to work as if I had been in good health. At present, I still have a very big effort to make in preparing my exhibition. It’s a battle I have to win and I’m hopeful about it. So as soon as Emilienne is in Ste Maxime we will spend a few days together before your departure and I will return to Perpignan to my little workshop to resume my work , and after October we will all meet up again and I will rest a little. I then think, will the war be over and will we be able to return to our home in Paris in peace and health? I would like that. Is that too much to ask of his luck? I work but to be well, I need a lot of rest, so the letters pile up and responding late makes me confused, I'm ashamed. I postpone until tomorrow and other tomorrows, and while continuing my letter, I have the feeling that I have not responded to what you wrote to me (…) You will only be able to have a watercolor when I come to St. Maximus. Don't be angry with me and write to me quickly. I am writing to Gallibert at the same time. I would like to find her at home when I come and if the view is nice and she likes the scenery, she should stay. I want to see you all when I get there.