German painter (1880–1916) who was one of the principal figures of the Expressionist movement. Though he was among several notable artists whose names were on a list to be withdrawn from combat during World War I, he was killed by a grenade at the Battle of Verdun before the order could be carried out. Scarce ALS in German, signed “F. Marc,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.75 x 7.25, personal letterhead, September 22, 1910. Letter to Munich publisher Reinhard Piper. In part: “I include the Mercure de France (for which I thank you especially), Monet, G. Macke’s cliché, and finally the fruit of his truly terrible labours. You will surely be amazed to hear that I made no less than 18 different attempts to present the Cezanne. I developed entire analyses of composition, but the main difficulty was that the image was intended to grace a title page, for a mere ‘fleeting’ glance – I hope you are satisfied with my final result. It aims to entirely give up all elements of painting so hard to capture in black and white and to focus the viewer’s attention on the group of women in the tent and to condense it so well that the eye desires nothing else. – I finally decided on a rather flowing kind of Japanese paper, so as to dissolve the brush line as well as possible. For I could hardly succeed in…producing an even brush line. Let me know if you agree and are satisfied; I dearly hope you are. – The weather is quite horrid; the mountains are covered with snow almost down to the foot. We must heat as in winter. – Thannhausen has forwarded my manuscript to the Society; the gentlemen wish to publish it in several periodicals.” According to a penciled note along the bottom of the first page, the illustration was intended for Meier-Graefe’s little Cézanne book.Published in: Briefwechsel mit Autoren und Künstlern: 1903–1953. In fine condition, with mild light toning, a bit of scattered soiling, mostly confined to first page, and a bisecting mailing fold. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
