François Joseph DURET

Autograph letter signed by sculptor Francisque Duret to Adolphe Saint Vincent Duvivier, head of the secretariat of the École impériale des beaux-arts.
"J'ai retenu Paul Armand, modèle arabe pour ma quinzaine à l'école et je prie Monsieur Duvivier de lui donner les instructions nécessaires et de prendre son adresse [...]" ["I have retained Paul Armand, Arab model for my fortnight at the school and I ask Monsieur Duvivier to give him the necessary instructions and to take his address [...]"]

Autograph letter signed by sculptor Francisque Duret regarding the acquisition by the Louvre museum of a copy of his celebrated statue, the Vendangeur improvisant sur un sujet comique (souvenir de Naples), which he presented at the 1839 Salon. The Louvre copy (R.F. 172), cast after the 1839 model, was presented at the 1855 Universal Exhibition.
'Monsieur,
Le fondeur de la statue en bronze que j'ai mise cette année au Salon, désire pouvoir mettre mon ouvrage à l'industrie, sourtout avant le 15 du mois; dernier jour accordé aux exposants [...] croyez cependant Monsieur, que si vous daignez lui accorder asyle dans quelque musée ou jardin royal, faveur qu'elle ambitionne par dessus tout, elle s'empressera de se rendre à vos ordres [...]" ["Sir, The founder of the bronze statue that I exhibited this year at the Salon, wishes to be able to put my work to industry, especially before the 15th of the month; the last day granted to exhibitors [...] believe however Sir, that if you deign to grant it asylum in some museum or royal garden, a favor it aspires to above all, it will hasten to comply with your orders [...]"]