BALTHUS

Autograph letter dated and signed by Antonin Artaud on Le Dôme brasserie letterhead, addressed to Maurice Martin du Gard, founder and director of Nouvelles Littéraires. 29 lines in blue ink in a nervous handwriting.
Traces of folds and small marginal tears inherent to postal dispatch and handling. Minor stains at the beginning of the letter.

Antonin Artaud fought to have his article on Balthus's painting, exhibited for the first time in France, published. He fiercely defended the artist he considered his 'double', so similar were they physically and intellectually.

 

Autograph letter signed by Balthus addressed to gallery owner Henriette Gomès. 7 lines, envelope included.
Cross folds inherent to mailing, a small tear to left margin of the letter not touching text, the ink having faded.
"Chassy, mardi (the r and d having smudged)
Ma petite Henriette,
je reçois ce papier mystérieux - si tu trouves un moment pourrais-tu voir de quoi il s'agit ? En toute hâte - Je t'embrasse et André. B." ["My little Henriette, I receive this mysterious paper - if you find a moment could you see what it's about? In great haste - I embrace you and André. B."]
"During the summer of 1952, Balthus found...

Signed autograph letter from Balthus addressed to gallerist Henriette (Gomès). One page written in black ink on letterhead of the Académie de France in Rome of which Balthus was appointed director by André Malraux in 1961, 13 lines.
Transverse folds inherent to mailing, two small tears in left and right margins of the letter not touching the text, pin marks in upper left margin of the letter, the ink of certain words having faded.
"Ma petite Henriette,
imossible de me souvenir de l'adresse de Claude Hersent ni de celle de Lefebvre dont je ne trouve plus l'enveloppe. C'est donc à toi que j'envoie le papier ci-joint à remettre au personnage en question...

Signed autograph postcard from Balthus addressed to gallerist Henriette (Gomès), 17 lines in black ink.
A clear dampstain in the upper right margin of the postcard depicting a ski slope.
"Chassy le 30 XII 53
Ma petite Henriette,
comme il n'est pas impossible que mon petit mot de Rome ait été englouti par la pgrève, je préfère pour plus de sûreté t'envoyer une nouvelle litanie de souhaits et de bons voeux d'ici où je suis rentré hier - Quand viens-tu ? J'espère que tu t'arrangeras popur rester quelques jours. Je t'embrasse ainsi qu'André. B. L'adresse de Georges Parent G. Parent, 1, rue de Narbonne Paris 7e."" ["Chassy December 30th 53 /...

First edition of this invitation card to the Balthus exhibition at Galerie Henriette Gomès which took place from June 2 to July 8, 1977.
Very handsome copy.

Signed autograph letter from Balthus addressed to gallerist Henriette Gomès. One page written in black ink on a sheet, envelope attached.
Transverse fold marks inherent to mailing.
"Impossible to remember Baladine's address on Bd St Michel..." Baladine is the nickname of Merline Klossowska, Balthus's mother who was also Rilke's mistress.
"During the summer of 1952, Balthus found a château in the Nièvre, between Autun and Avallon which he decided to rent and where he settled in the spring of the following year. The means were provided by his dealers, Henriette Gomès, Pierre Matisse and with them a collective of collectors, including Maurice...

First edition of this invitation card to the Balthus exhibition at Gazette des Beaux-Arts which took place from February 29 to March 17, 1956.
One corner slightly folded in the lower right margin.

First edition of this review edited by Maurice Raynal and Efstrathios Tériade, and in particular illustrated by Georges Braque, Balthus, Roger Vitrac published between April 1935 and February 1936.
An artistic and literary review created by the writers Maurice Raynal and Michel Leiris, La Bête noire was conceived as an attempt at an intellectual counter-attack to the rise of fascism in France, awakened by the Parisian demonstrations of February 1934 . The review was baptized by the wealthy banker Marcel Moré, a friend of Max Jacob, Antonin Artaud, and Georges Bataille - and will also benefit from his financial support.

First edition of this review edited by Maurice Raynal and Efstrathios Tériade, and in particular illustrated by Georges Braque, Balthus, Roger Vitrac published between April 1935 and February 1936.
An artistic and literary review created by the writers Maurice Raynal and Michel Leiris, La Bête noire was conceived as an attempt at an intellectual counter-attack to the rise of fascism in France, awakened by the Parisian demonstrations of February 1934 . The review was baptized by the wealthy banker Marcel Moré, a friend of Max Jacob, Antonin Artaud, and Georges Bataille - and will also benefit from his financial support.

First edition of this review edited by Maurice Raynal and Efstrathios Tériade, and in particular illustrated by Georges Braque, Balthus, Roger Vitrac published between April 1935 and February 1936.
Marginal tears.
An artistic and literary review created by the writers Maurice Raynal and Michel Leiris, La Bête noire was conceived as an attempt at an intellectual counter-attack to the rise of fascism in France, awakened by the Parisian demonstrations of February 1934 . The review was baptized by the wealthy banker Marcel Moré, a friend of Max Jacob, Antonin Artaud, and Georges Bataille - and will also benefit from his...

First edition of this review edited by Maurice Raynal and Efstrathios Tériade, and in particular illustrated by Georges Braque, Balthus, Roger Vitrac published between April 1935 and February 1936.
Marginal tears.
An artistic and literary review created by the writers Maurice Raynal and Michel Leiris, La Bête noire was conceived as an attempt at an intellectual counter-attack to the rise of fascism in France, awakened by the Parisian demonstrations of February 1934 . The review was baptized by the wealthy banker Marcel Moré, a friend of Max Jacob, Antonin Artaud, and Georges Bataille - and will also benefit from his...

First edition of this review edited by Maurice Raynal and Efstrathios Tériade, and in particular illustrated by Georges Braque, Balthus, Roger Vitrac published between April 1935 and February 1936.
Marginal tears.
An artistic and literary review created by the writers Maurice Raynal and Michel Leiris, La Bête noire was conceived as an attempt at an intellectual counter-attack to the rise of fascism in France, awakened by the Parisian demonstrations of February 1934 . The review was baptized by the wealthy banker Marcel Moré, a friend of Max Jacob, Antonin Artaud, and Georges Bataille - and will also benefit from his...

First edition of this review directed by Maurice Raynal and Efstrathios Tériade, and illustrated by Georges Braque, Balthus, Roger Vitrac. The collection is complete with eight issues published between April 1935 and February 1936. Joints, three newsletter subscriptions to the magazine accompanied by a humorous text.
Folds, marginal tears.
A rare complete collection of The Black Beast, an artistic and literary magazine created by the writers Maurice Raynal and Michel Leiris. It was conceived as an attempt at intellectual counter-attack to the rise of fascism in France, awakened by the Parisian demonstrations of February 1934 . The magazine was baptized by...