Monet, Claude | A group of letters spanning over twenty years from Monet to his dealer

Monet, Claude

5 autograph letters signed ("Claude Monet") to Paul Durand-Ruel

In French. 11 pages on bifolia (4 on his Giverny letterhead, one of these edged in black) (size varies, but most 216 x 133 mm), Giverny par Vernon, 18 September 1892–13 October 1913, to Paul Durand-Ruel, Paris; horizontal folds

Claude Monet to his dealer, Paul Durand-Ruel. In the history of art trade, there can be few working arrangements as important or successful as that of Monet and his legendary dealer, Paul Durand-Ruel (1831–1922). Durand-Ruel was one of the earliest and most ardent champions of the Impressionists. Durand-Ruel & Cie. began modestly, but the dealer's ability to preach the gospel of Impressionism to rich American collectors, such as the H. O. Havemeyers, soon brought him and his artists, particularly Monet and Renoir, tremendous success. Monet's association with the dealer began in 1881 and continued throughout the rest of his life. In total, Durand-Ruel sold more than one thousand canvases by Monet. As the firm grew and expanded into Germany, Britain and the United States, Durand-Ruel gradually turned his business over to his sons. As these letters attest, however, Monet remained closest to his original dealer, Paul Durand-Ruel.

The two earliest letters in this group both date from September 1892. In these letters, Monet commiserates with Durand-Ruel over the death of his twenty-seven year old son. Charles Durand-Ruel (1865–1892) had joined his father's firm and was well-known to Monet, who extends his condolences to the entire family. Renoir painted a well-known portrait of Charles and his brother Georges in 1882.

In November 1902, Monet writes to Durand-Ruel thanking him for dinner on behalf of Mme Monet and himself. He goes on to ask Durand-Ruel to ask his sons to send a word of thanks to M. Pissarro. Earlier that year, Bernheim-Jeune (and not Durand-Ruel) had mounted a joint exhibition titled "Oeuvres récéntes de Pissarro et nouvelle série de Monet (Vétheuil)."

Monet writes in March 1904 to say that he wants to come to Paris for the memorial exhibition of Pissarro's work, organized Durand-Ruel and the painter's son, Lucien Pissarro. Camille Pissarro had died of cancer in November of the previous year.

The final letter, which is written on black-edged paper, is dated 13 October 1913. It is possible that the letter was actually written in 1914. Monet's elder son Jean died 10 February 1914. Monet's second wife Alice had died in May 1911. Monet writes to inform Durand-Ruel that he is sending seven painting to him.

A fine group of letters spanning over twenty years and documenting a key alliance in the history of French art.