Lam, Wifredo

Important group of five autograph letters signed ("Wifredo Lam," "Wifredo," and "W."), each two pages with detailed drawings, various sizes, Calidas and Querida, 16 May to 15 June 1937 (two letters undated) to his lover, Balbina Barrera; one letter with split to horizontal fold and paper loss to left margin not affecting text.

In the throes of war but still painting. Amid the Spanish Civil War, Lam writes to his lover, Balbina Barrera, incorporating drawings of paintings on which he is working in addition to two self-portraits and provocative doodles. He reports on his poor health in each letter as well as his artistic productivity. In his letter of 16 May 1937, he notes he has not received  his paints so he cannot work. His paints must have arrived shortly thereafter as he reports in his letter of 12 June 1937 he has just finished a big painting that he likes very much. Lam notes he feels he has advanced a great deal and explains — "Every time I paint I feel you are by my side and it's true because your portrait is right on the wall looking at the space in which I move in front of my paintings." In his letter of 15 June 1937 Lam articulates his yearning to travel to Paris to paint and study. He notes he has completed two works he believes will please Balbina and tries to reproduce them on the verso of his letter. The works are Sans Titre (La pareja) and Sans Titre, 37.32 and 37.34 in Lou Laurin-Lam. Wifredo Lam Catalogue Raisonné of the Painted Work, volume I.

Letters by Lam incorporating drawings are rare.