- 184
Chopin, Frédéric
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
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Description
- Chopin, Frédéric
- Fine long autograph letter by Pauline Viardot, to George Sand, about her portrait of Chopin, and her opera singing, signed with initials
- paper
in which Viardot discusses her drawing of Chopin ("Chipchop"), reporting the great impression it has made, assuring Sand that she will have it copied for her, and asking her to give Chopin her best wishes and those of her husband Louis, who she says will bring the portrait of Chopin to them at rue Pigalle; Viardot also reports that she finds London dull and depressing during Lent, but that she looks forward to her forthcoming appearances at Her Majesty's Theatre after Easter, when she will sing the part of Romeo in Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi, which will be a fine duel between her and the soprano Giulia Grisi as Giulietta, keenly-anticipated by opera-lovers
4 pages, 8vo (c.18.5 x 12.8cm), closely written, a working manuscript with autograph additions in the margins, deletions and alterations, 184 Regent St, London, 8 April 1841
...Le petit portrait du bon Chipchop fait fureur; tout le monde le reconnait. Je ne manquerai pas de le copier pour vous...Après cette semaine pendant laquelle le théâtre est fermé, je reparaîtirai dans mon ancien répertoire, après quoi je dois jouer Roméo dans les Capuletti de Bellini [avec] Grisi--Juliette. Cela va être un vrai duel, et le public l'attend avec grande impatience...Louis vous rapportera les Mosaïstes, ainsi que le portrait de Chip...
This letter must refer to Pauline Viardot's drawing of Chopin, dated 18 February [1841], formerly in the collection of André Meyer, and sold in our Paris rooms on 17 October 2012, lot 399. The portrait was long thought to have been drawn by George Sand, and only recently attributed to Viardot by Ernst Burger. This letter, the only published one by Viardot about her portrait, confirms that she drew it herself and had copies made and sent to Sand. In an earlier unpublished letter of 20 February, two days after the date of her portrait, Viardot had promised Sand to take her drawing to London to be copied for her there (sale in our rooms on 6 December 1996, lot 53). Chopin was a great admirer of the multi-talented mezzo-soprano Pauline Garcia Viardot (1821-1910), the sister of Malibran, and often played piano duets with her, praised her performances at the Italian opera, and her transcriptions of his Mazurkas as songs. Chopin and Sand were living together at 16 rue Pigalle during 1841 and 1842.
4 pages, 8vo (c.18.5 x 12.8cm), closely written, a working manuscript with autograph additions in the margins, deletions and alterations, 184 Regent St, London, 8 April 1841
...Le petit portrait du bon Chipchop fait fureur; tout le monde le reconnait. Je ne manquerai pas de le copier pour vous...Après cette semaine pendant laquelle le théâtre est fermé, je reparaîtirai dans mon ancien répertoire, après quoi je dois jouer Roméo dans les Capuletti de Bellini [avec] Grisi--Juliette. Cela va être un vrai duel, et le public l'attend avec grande impatience...Louis vous rapportera les Mosaïstes, ainsi que le portrait de Chip...
This letter must refer to Pauline Viardot's drawing of Chopin, dated 18 February [1841], formerly in the collection of André Meyer, and sold in our Paris rooms on 17 October 2012, lot 399. The portrait was long thought to have been drawn by George Sand, and only recently attributed to Viardot by Ernst Burger. This letter, the only published one by Viardot about her portrait, confirms that she drew it herself and had copies made and sent to Sand. In an earlier unpublished letter of 20 February, two days after the date of her portrait, Viardot had promised Sand to take her drawing to London to be copied for her there (sale in our rooms on 6 December 1996, lot 53). Chopin was a great admirer of the multi-talented mezzo-soprano Pauline Garcia Viardot (1821-1910), the sister of Malibran, and often played piano duets with her, praised her performances at the Italian opera, and her transcriptions of his Mazurkas as songs. Chopin and Sand were living together at 16 rue Pigalle during 1841 and 1842.
Literature
T. Marix-Spire, Lettres inédits de George Sand et Pauline Viardot (1839-1849), (1959), pp.100-104. E. Burger, Frédéric Chopin: eine Lebenschronik in Bildern und Dokumenten (1990), p.240.
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."