MONET (Claude). Autograph letter signed to... - Lot 21 - Osenat

MONET (Claude). Autograph letter signed to Gustave Geffroy. Giverny, May 2, 1912. 4 pp. in-8, mourning border, envelope kept. Claude Monet was going to present the paintings he had done in Venice, in an exhibition that would be open from May 28 to June 8, 1912 at the Bernheim-Jeune Gallery. The catalog, Les "Venise" de Claude Monet, would be prefaced by Octave Mirbeau. "Dear friend, I telegraphed you a few days ago, asking you to give me news of CLEMENCEAU [who had undergone a prostate operation in April], not wanting at this time to bother him with this and show him concern. You would be very kind to tell me what the situation is, whether it has taken place or whether the operation has been postponed. I hope you and yours are well. I received your card from Le Croisic, thank you, but I'm not doing very well at all, in terms of morale. I DO NOT GET OUT OF MY VENICE AND I AM DESPERATE BECAUSE THE EXHIBITION IS IRREVOCABLY ANNOUNCED. I HAVE LOST THE LITTLE GOOD THAT WAS IN THESE PAINTINGS. I FEEL LIKE A RUINED MAN. I don't know if Clemenceau told you, but it wasn't long before I asked your friendship for a preface to the catalog. Fénéon [Félix Fénéon was the artistic director of the young Bernheim gallery] had written to me: either to you or to MIRBEAU, who was just in Giverny. I sent him the letter, certain that he would not be able to take care of it, given his condition, but he seemed to want to make the effort to do it, which certainly touches me, but which I dread at the same time. He is going to bring to light things that do not deserve it. That with you I would have been more at ease to beg you to be sober with praise. It is true that I can at the last moment give up this exhibition. But that is not why I am writing to you, it is to have news of our friend and to ask you to send me a note. Yours in friendship... "