CLAUDE MONET ~~ REGISTERS ANOTHER DONATION IN HIS ATTEMPT TO BUY MANET'S ''OLYMPIA'' FROM MANET'S WIDOW FOR PRESENTATION TO THE FRENCH NATION

CLAUDE MONET

Published by Publication Date: 1889

MONET, CLAUDE. (1840-1926). French artist; leading figure in the Impressionist movement; the term Impressionism is derived from the title of his painting Impression Sunrise. Wonderful content, Autograph Letter Signed, ''Claude Monet'', in French. 2 full separate pages, octavo. [written on the first and third leaf of one sheet, so that when open, it displays magnificently!]. Giverny par Vernon Eure, March 26, [18] 89'. To Monsieur Bazin[?]. Monet writes: ''I ask you to forgive me for not answering sooner and thanking you for taking part in our work for Manet. I have signed you up for 25 F [remember we need] close to 19.000F, but I think there will be great difficulties in having our gift accepted. Others are working ferociously to make our enterprise fail. We have to make it [succeed]. Also, I count on seeing you during my next trip to Paris since you are offering me your [excursion?]. But above all, don t write anything about it. We have to be very careful. Warm regards, yours Claude Monet''. Manet s painting Olympia, sparked enormous controversy upon its unveiling at the 1865 Paris Salon. The bold nude of a reclining prostitute, flanked by her black servant maid presenting her flowers, presumably from an admirer client, was eventually recognized as one of the artist s great masterpieces. Monet spearheaded a public campaign to raise money for the French government to purchase the painting from Manet s widow. Monet s letters on this subject are highly sought after by collectors. By February 1890, Monet had raised about 20,000 francs for the purchase and further it s donation to the French nation. Olympia was first shown at the Musée du Luxembourg, then at the Musée de l Art Contemporary of Paris. By order of the French Prime Minister, Georges Clemenceau, a close and intimate friend of Monet, Olympia finally took its place in the Louvre in 1907, and now resides within the Musee D orsey along the banks of the Seine in Paris. This is just a fabulous letter, encompassing all the content, and association of these two monumental Impressionist artists, in dealing with preserving one of the world s great paintings. What more could one wish for? Make it yours. Seller Inventory # 221804

Bibliographic Details

Title: CLAUDE MONET ~~ REGISTERS ANOTHER DONATION ...
Publication Date: 1889
Binding: No Binding
Condition: Fine