On the donation of Monet's Water Lilies to the French State

Monet, Claude, French painter (1840-1926). Autograph letter signed.

Giverny near Vernon, 21. VIII. 1920.

8vo. 3 pages on bifolium. On stationery with printed address. With autograph envelope.

 6.500,00

In French, to the art critic Arsène Alexandre about the difficult negotiations that led to the donation of Monet's Water Lilies to the French State: "Dear Mr. Alexandre, I answer your letter immediately and want to tell you that you misunderstood me. What I said to you during your visit is agreed. About the gift I want to make to the State, and about the work you agreed to do for Mr. Bernheim, but I was wrong to let myself go at a time of discouragement and misunderstood in the nervous state I was in. Believe me, I only asked you to give me a few days of respite in order to take advantage of the few beautiful days we have. Finally to save the few paintings that I have undertaken but I see and regret infinitely that you have misunderstood my intentions. I ask you again, give me a few days and we can talk usefully again. Believe in my best feelings [...]" (transl.).

Arsène Alexandre, who was a civil servant at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts at the time, was one of the first officials to contact Monet for his donation.

Art.-Nr.: BN#52875 Schlagwort: