CASSATT (Mary). Autograph letter signed [to... - Lot 22 - Osenat

Lot 22
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Result : 5 980EUR
CASSATT (Mary). Autograph letter signed [to... - Lot 22 - Osenat
CASSATT (Mary). Autograph letter signed [to the writer, art and literature critic Achille Segard]. Villa Angeletto in Grasse in the Alpes-Maritimes, "April 14" [1913, from an inscription in another hand in black and blue pencil]. 6 pp. in-8. "I told you I couldn't write. Certainly...I think your book is very beautiful [A Painter of Children and Mothers. Mary Cassatt, to be published by Ollendorff in May 1913], but put yourself in my place, I have never been spoiled, and how can I believe all the good things you say about my painting? If I had kept some of what I did, it would have allowed me to see myself better. The only time I saw myself with the others was at Mrs. Havemeyer's [Louisine Waldron, wife of the American industrialist Henry Havemeyer, who had started one of the most important art collections in the world with him, and from about 1889 onwards sought Mary Cassatt's advice] and I didn't look too bad. I told you once that you write about painting as a painter, and it's true. I repeated to RENOIR what you said about his originality and his joy of painting, it pleased him very much, and I was very happy to please him, but I passed quickly over the fact that your lines about him were in a book about me, because I BELIEVE THAT HE DOESN'T FIND ME AT ALL AT THE LEVEL. EXCEPT FOR DEGAS AND PISSARRO, THEY ALL HAD THIS OPINION OF ME. NOW RENOIR THINKS PISSARRO WAS BENEATH EVERYTHING! I AM AMAZED WHEN I FIND HIM SO LACKING IN JUDGMENT. How to do. I can't go to Paris right now, it would be to lose all that I have gained here, although it is cold here, snowstorms yesterday, but much less cold than in Paris. Once again, believe me that I find your book very beautiful, but admit[z] that there is vanity on my part to accept this. AND THEN I WANTED TO BE SUCH A GREAT PAINTER, TITIAN OR REMBRANDT, JUST THAT. At the same time as your letter, I received a letter from Mr. Stillman [the American banker James A. Stillman, who, having retired to Paris in 1909, asked Mary Cassatt to advise him on enriching his personal art collection] who tells me that in ten years from now my paintings will sell for more than the Degas!!! And then from... my family comes LETTERS ASKING FOR EXPLANATIONS ABOUT THE CUBISTS AND OTHER FARMERS, that's all they talk about over there. I make the face. I AM SO LITTLE KNOWN that I understand that you had a hard time finding a publisher. The other day, I received a letter from a journalist, she thought my painting deserved an article by her, and invited me to have tea at the Ritz, to talk about it, convinced that she was the first to know me, she is American, of course. Nevertheless, I believe that your book will sell. Maybe I'm wrong, but first of all it's so well written, clearly, and there is a certain curiosity about me. WE ARE LIVING IN A PERIOD OF ANARCHY, IN ART - also, it seems to me, in literature - and one buys paintings so much without judgment, and one speculates so much on paintings and one does not see the difference between the advertisement and the true fame. Since the Rouart sale [Henri Rouart's collection of paintings and drawings was dispersed in two sales, on December 16-18, 1912 and April 21-22, 1913], anything by Degas sells for high prices, things unworthy of him, and fortunately Renoir makes a fortune, he who could not sell his beautiful paintings, and even works in his bed. If I could talk to you, you will see that I know perfectly well that you have made a beautiful book, in measure, and soberly, and that I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE PLACE YOU GIVE ME, MAYBE I MUST SURVIVE..."
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