- 175
Renoir, Pierre-Auguste
Estimate
3,000 - 4,000 GBP
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Description
- Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- Autograph letter signed ("Renoir"), to Catulle Mendès, offering him the celebrated portrait of his daughters, The Daughters of Catulle Mendès
- Paper
the letter apparently once accompanying the portrait, which he offers 'after careful consideration', observing that, in two years, after smoking in front of it a little, he will see that it looks better, suggesting in the first of two postscripts that it would be worthwhile looking for the easel at Durand-Ruel's gallery, and requesting him in the second postscript not to forget the frame
...Tout bien réfléchi vous me permettez de vous offrir tout bêtement ce portrait de vos petites filles...
1 page, 8vo, integral blank, the two postscripts initialled by the artist ("R."), later pencil annotation below date, Tuesday, 12 June 1888, traces of mount to integral
...Tout bien réfléchi vous me permettez de vous offrir tout bêtement ce portrait de vos petites filles...
1 page, 8vo, integral blank, the two postscripts initialled by the artist ("R."), later pencil annotation below date, Tuesday, 12 June 1888, traces of mount to integral
Literature
Charlotte N. Eyerman, 'Playing the Market: Renoir's Young Girls at the Piano Series of 1892', Music and Modern Art, ed. James Leggio (New York, 2010), p. 44; The Annenberg Collection: Masterpieces of Impressionism and Post impressionism (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2009), p. 132
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."
Catalogue Note
Renoir's sumptuous portrait of the daughters of his friend the Parnassian poet, publicist and impresario Catulle Mendès - one of the most compelling images in art of awakening adolescence - was painted shortly before the present letter and exhibited at the Durand-Ruel gallery. Now one of the glories of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, it depicts the eldest, Huguette (1871 1964), sitting at the piano, the second daughter, Claudine (1876-1937), standing with a violin under her arm and a bow in her hand, and the youngest, Helyonne (1879-1955), resting her hands on the piano. The painting was Renoir's last submission to the official Salon, where it was exhibited in 1890.