PISSARRO CAMILLE: (1830-1903)

PISSARRO CAMILLE: (1830-1903)

Pissarro provides his frank advice to an aspiring artist

 

PISSARRO CAMILLE: (1830-1903) French Impressionist painter. Autograph draft of a letter, unsigned, one page, slim 4to (written in pencil to the verso of one half of a printed death announcement), n.p., n.d. (c.1896), in French. Pissarro provides a frank answer to his correspondent's equally frank letter asking to work under the artist's direction and remarks 'Je ne crois pas qu'il soit profitable pour un jeune peintre de suivre exclusivement la direction d'un maitre. Vous avez dites-vous profitte de l'etude de mes oeuvres, il me semble que vous feriez sagement d'en suivre quelques autres afin de ne pas tomber dans une maniere personelle qui vous serait plutot nuisible. J'ai explique non facon de voir a tous ceux qui m'on demande mon assistance artistique et jusqu'a present je n'ai guere reussi a leur faire comprendre l'art qui ne s'enseigne pas personellement. Le meilleur moyen est encore de suivre l'enseignement que vous donnent les oeuvres divers des artistes de valeur. Je vous dis cela comme je le pense avec l'espoir que vous en saurez tirer profit, comme du reste nous tous nous avons fait en etudiant les Corot, Millet, Delacroix, Daumier, Courbet etc. etc. sans etre sous leur influence personelle' (Translation: 'I do not believe that it is profitable for a young painter to follow exclusively the direction of a master. You said you benefitted from the study of my works, it seems to me that you would be wise to follow some others in order not to fall into a personal way which would be rather harmful to you. I have explained my way of seeing to all those who have asked for my artistic assistance and so far I have hardly succeeded in making them understand the art which cannot be taught personally. The best way is still to follow the education given to you by the various works of valuable artists. I tell you this as I think it, with the hope that you will be able to take advantage of it, as all of us have done by studying Corot, Millet, Delacroix, Daumier, Courbet etc. etc. without being under their personal influence'). Part of the page features a list of five paintings executed by Pissarro in Rouen including Matin Brume, Soleil couchant Brumes, Matin apres la pluie Rouen and Port St-Sever a Rouen Brouillard. A draft of interesting content. Some light age wear, about VG