ALS in French, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.25 x 6.75, November 1, 1889. Addressed from "Giverny, near Vernon, Eure," a handwritten letter to French painter Henri Guerard regarding his campaign to buy Edouard Manet's painting 'Olympia.' In full (translated): "Thank you for the trouble you are taking over the Manet subscription. I am putting you down for 100 francs and 100 francs for Madame Guerard-Gonzalès. As far as the list that you sent me, except for Messieurs Lafort and Lucas, to whom I am going to write, I have urged all the others. Faure and Miss Cassatt have refused, along with Zola. Monsieur Dufaux has not replied to me. But as I do not become discouraged, I am quite hopeful about reaching the complete sum soon. Then it will only be a matter of getting our gift accepted." In fine condition.
Edouard Manet’s painting 'Olympia,' an arrestingly bold nude of a reclining prostitute, immediately sparked controversy upon its unveiling at the 1865 Paris Salon. Later recognized as one of the artist’s true masterpieces, Monet spearheaded a public campaign to raise money for the French government to purchase the painting. Monet's letters on the subject—generally sent to those within his artistic circle—are highly coveted. By February 1890, Monet had raised about 20,000 francs to purchase the great work and announced its donation to the French national museums. As the law prevented the Louvre from exhibiting works until their creators were ten years deceased (Manet died in 1883), 'Olympia' was first shown at the Musée du Luxembourg, then at the Musée de l'Art Contemporary of Paris. By order of Georges Clemenceau, Olympia finally took its place in the Louvre in 1907.
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