Important French painter and printmaker (1864–1901) whose lively, colorful portrayals of the people and places of fin-de-siècle Paris take a place among the most iconic images of the era. Lautrec’s immersion in art stemmed largely from his isolation following a disfiguring teenage accident that failed to heal properly, preventing his legs from growing further while his torso continued to develop normally. ALS in French, written to his mother and signed, “Henri,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7, no date. Letter reads in full (translated): “My dear mama, I have just seen Georges who told me he would bring you here. Please give the keys of my atelier to my friend Robin who will be their keeper. He is the only one who does know the bowels of my atelier. Looking forward to your visit, I kiss you.” In fine condition, with a couple slight brushes to text on first page.
Written during the fateful year of 1899, when Lautrec’s mental health deteriorated sharply due to his alcoholism. His friend Georges Sené (mentioned in the letter) and his mother were closest to him during this terrible period, when his personal affairs were in complete chaos. His disorders also reflected upon his work and the accumulation of things in his atelier. Because of that, his mother rarely visited his workshop and we learn from this letter that she was planning an uncustomary visit with Georges Sené. Another friend, Robin, is described by Lautrec as the “only one who does know the bowels of my atelier.” Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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