Degas, Edgar, French painter and sculptor (1834-1917). Autograph letter signed ("Degas").

N. p. o. d., "Jeudi".

8vo. 4 pp. on bifolium.

 4,500.00

Interesting letter to a friend, probably Louis Braquaval, declining an invitation to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme due to health concerns, criticizing the luxurious salon of mutual friends, and reporting on the similarly fragile health of his maid Zoé Closier, as both appear to have suffered from a food poisoning. Degas also muses that the recipient "only wants to impress" him, adding that it is also his own desire to be impressed and announcing that one day he will take his friend by surprise in order to see who he really is. In closing, Degas implies a possible visit to Saint Valery after Easter.

Edgar Degas met Louis Braquaval in 1896 in Saint-Valerie-sur-Somme and visited him several times thereafter. The two men became close friends and painting companions. In general, Degas was largely isolated in his later years, having lost many friends due to his difficult character. The letter gives testimony to Degas's peculiarities and his failing health. His maid Zoé Closier is known from a famous photographic self-portrait of Degas from ca. 1895 kept at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Professionally restored. Minor browning and stains.

Stock Code: BN#60869 Tag: