Influential French Cubist painter (1885-1962) known for his colorful figure subjects, portraits, landscapes, and still life. ALS in French, one page both sides, 5.5 x 8.75, August 4, 1928. Handwritten letter clarifying his place in the art world as a Cubist, with mentions of Chagall, Cezanne, and Vollard. In part (translated): "As far as your book is concerned, it is very interesting and, a unique virtue, without bias. One can barely discover your preferences, Chagall in particular. In my opinion, the section devoted to Cezanne is lacking in personal judgments. Your reliance on books dealing with the life of the master (Vollard, etc.) is too evident, and the anecdotes which you relate are very common knowledge. That greatly mars your book. As for the part about me, permit me to protest about the place which you assign me in modern art. According to you, I am supposed to be 'influenced by Cubism.' On the contrary, I really take pride in having been one of its promoters, along with Gleize, Metzinger, etc. My paintings between 1911 and 1914 prove it, as well as my participation in the first Cubist showings: The exposition on the Rue Tronchet, and the Section d'Or, the Cubist rooms at the Independants in 1912, etc. Here again, it is a little too evident that you have obtained your information from books, which themselves were not unprejudiced…When one becomes a historian, one must not be afraid to go directly to sources, albeit with prudence." In very good to fine condition, with several short edge tears, and light overall soiling.
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