Description:

CLAUDE MONET
(1840 - 1926) French painter and a most important founder on the Impressionist movement, perhaps best remembered for his gentle renderings of water lilies and pastoral scenes. After caring for the painter Alfred Sisley's children, Monet states: '…it is time for me to think about myself and my work…' Fine content A.L.S. 3pp. 8vo., Giverny, May 12, 1899, to the French author and collector of Impressionist art Francois Depeaux. Monet boldly pens in purple ink on black-bordered Giverny mourning letterhead, two years after the death of his wife, Camille, and invites Depeaux to come see him in Giverny before his meeting with the art collector George Viau. He explains: '… I don't plan to go to Paris anytime soon. It's been more than 18 months since I last received a brush. I have just spent 4 months taking care of [Alfred] Sisley's children in memory of their father, it is time for me to think about myself and my work, so you will understand the desire I have to confine myself to Giverny where I also have many duties to fulfill…'. He has received a complaint from a color merchant '…to whom Sisley owed an account; it would be urgent, it seems to me, before investing what is due to the children, to know exactly what few debts remain overdue…'. British-born Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley (1839-1899) is best remembered for his paintings of the river Seine. He and Monet met in 1862, when they came to Paris to study painting (along with Renoir and Bazille). Sisley had a long-time relationship with French musician Eugenie Lescouezec, with whom he had two children. Unlike his counterparts, Sisley received little recognition during his lifetime and, from 1871, and, after the Franco-Prussian War when his businessman father was no longer able to support him, spent much of his life in poverty. He died from throat cancer on January 30, 1899, at the early age of 59. George Viau (1855-1939) was a French dentist and art collector who counted among his patients Claude Monet. He is immortalized in Edouard Vuillard's 1914 painting 'Doctor Georges Viau in his dental office'. Similarly, Francois Depeaux (1853-1920) was one of the first patrons of the Impressionists. He had a particular fondness for Alfred Sisley, owning no less than 600 of his paintings. Fine.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

August 16, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000