DUFY RAOUL: (1877-1953) French Fauvist painter. A.L., unsigned (although with his name Raoul appearing within the text, in the third person, towards the conclusion), two pages, 4to, n.p. (Perpignan), n.d. ('Mardi', 28^th March 1942), to his wife ('Ma Cherie'), in French. Dufy states that he has received his wife's letter, which he will go over in detail tomorrow, and continues 'Tranquillise toi sur ma sante, mon traitement suit son cours regulier. Nous avons eu plusieures journees de pluie qui m'avaient un peu cruille mais ce soir tout se remet. Quant a mon travail ca va de mieux en mieux…..J'arrive enfin a ce que j'ai poursuivi toute ma vie. J'ai fait aujourd'hui une seance particulierement heureuse aussi, j'espere que je pourrai realiser une belle exposition qui nous assurera notre tranquillite. Je pense que tu rentree a St. Maxime, et je vais t'envoyer par echelon des mandats cartes, et aussi par lettres recommandees que tu toucheras a la poste et que tu pourras transformer comme tu voudras. Vois comment tu pouvras garder tes valeurs, il ne faudrait pas tout garder dans la maison, tu peux faire un depot dans une banque? Enfin penses-y et tu me diras ce que tu feras' (Translation: 'Don't worry about my health, my treatment is following its regular course. We had several days of rain which had me a little worried, but tonight everything is recovering. As for my work, it's getting better and better…..I finally arrive at what I have pursued all my life. I had a particularly happy session today too, I hope that I will be able to produce a beautiful exhibition which will ensure our peace of mind. I think you're going back to St. Maxime, and I'm going to send you money order cards in installments, and also by registered letters which you can collect at the post office and which you can change as you like. See how you can keep your values, you shouldn't keep everything in the house, can you make a deposit in a bank? Finally think about it and you will tell me what you will do'), concluding by referring to family members and sending affectionate greetings, 'Pour Suzanne [La soeur de Dufy, don't il peint le portrait en 1904] je commandrais qu'elle parte pour sa cure accompagnee par une personne qui lui plairait et que nous payerons car il ne faut pas la laisser seule. J'ai recu ce matin une lettre bien angoissee de Madeleine qui est maintenant au courant du mauvais etat. Toi soignetoi bien pas de fatigues, pas de soucis, tu me le promets et bientot nous serons ensemble. Je t'embrasse bien fort, ma cherie. Embrasse Suzanne, bonjour a Raymond, bise a Mickey et encore mille tendres baissers de ton Raoul qui t'adore' (Translation: 'For Suzanne [Dufy's sister, whose portrait he painted in 1904] I would order that she leave for her cure accompanied by a person she would like and that we will pay because we must not leave her alone. This morning I received a very distressed letter from Madeleine who is now aware of the poor condition. You take good care of yourself, no fatigue, no worries, you promise me, and soon we'll be together. I embrace you very much, my darling. Embrace Suzanne, hello to Raymond, a kiss to Mickey and another thousand tender kisses from your Raoul who adores you'). Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by the artist to 'Madame Raoul Dufy' at St. Maxime. Some light age wear, one small, neat split to the left edge and a thin area of staining to the upper edge, about VG

 

Eugenie-Emilienne Brisson (1880-1962) wife of Raoul Dufy from 1911-53.