R. MAGRITTE, 7 AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED ("RENÉ MAGRITTE") TO THE COLLECTORS ROSE & JOSEPH CAPEL, 1960-1966

in French, expressing his sorrow over a damaged painting by him, owned by Rose and Joseph Capel which was impossible to repair and offering, therefore, to replace it with his gouache L’Ecole buissonière; discussing letters and drawings by Paul Colinet with a view to publication; reflecting on the question of symbolism in art, in relation to his painting La Poitrine and if painting can express ideas and sentiments ("La peinture est incapable d’exprimer desiblées des idées et des sentiments. La peinture ... se borne à montrer"), sharing his views on fellow painter, Salvador Dalí, whom he describes as an artist without true freedom of thought, as well as Giorgio de Chirico and Max Ernst, whom he praises as the only artists to be of interest to him 7 letters in all, nine pages, 8vo and 4to, one on printed letterhead stationery, two on postcards (including three autograph envelopes), two letters to Joseph Capel and five to his wife Rose, Brussels, 16 April 1960 to 2 February 1966, minor creasing

Rose and Joseph Capel, Argentina, thence by descent to the present owners

David Sylvester (ed.), Sarah Whitfield & Michael Raeburn, René Magritte, Catalogue Raisonné, Antwerp, 1994, vol. IV, appendix no. 140, catalogued p. 325

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue 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."

Rose Capel was the editor of Le ciel bleu, a Belgian periodical published in 1945 which featured articles and illustrations by a variety of international artists, such as André Breton, Pablo Picasso as well as Magritte, who wrote two articles in total. The Belgian Surrealist poet Paul Colinet, a close friend of Magritte, collaborated as rédacteur en chef. Painted in 1946, L'Ecole buissonnière was given by the artist to Rose and Joseph Capel in 1960. It was sold at Sotheby's in the sale of Surrealist Art, 28 February 2018, lot 37.