Paul Durand-Ruel (1831-1922), painting merchant. 2 autograph letters signed “DurandRuel”, Paris, June 20 and [Le Havre] August 15, 1881, to Claude Monet, 4 pp. in-8°, and 4 letters signed by his accountant Charles Marriott to the artist, Paris, March 28-December 19, 1881, 4 pp. in-8°, with stamp Durand-Ruel & Cie, Tableaux, 1, Rue de la Paix, Paris.
Two fine letters of moral and financial support from the art dealer to Monet during a year marked by the beginnings of recognition and an improvement in his financial difficulties, thanks above all to Durand-Ruel’s purchases, a period that proved to be very prolific for the Impressionist master, who painted nearly 300 works in three years, including the artist’s Garden at Vétheuil painted that year. Georges Clemenceau, a great friend of Claude Monet, said of him: “What torments Durand-Ruel saved Monet from, allowing him to be and remain himself through all the mediocrities. Thanks be to him!”
With 4 interesting letters of payment and receipt of paintings from the dealer’s accountant.
Autograph letter signed “DurandRuel”, Paris, June 20, 1881. 2 pp. bi-feuillet.
Dear Sir
We agree on the sum. I owe you precisely today the 2,500 fr. you need. I’ll send it to you whenever you like, unless you come to Paris to collect it yourself.
You did well to refuse Mr. Ephrussi’s offers. [Maurice Ephrussi (1849-1916), banker, husband of patron of the arts Beatrice de Rothschild.] Stand firm and leave all these protectors of low-cost artists out in the cold.
Both of us will only be strong if they can no longer find your works anywhere at any price. Then they’ll have to decide to pay for them at reasonable rates.
The fine weather should allow you to work. [Monet is on the Normandy coast.] Perhaps one Sunday I’ll pay you a visit and take a look at your studies.
Yours sincerely
DurandRuel”
Autograph letter signed “DurandRuel”, [Le Havre,] 6, rue des pêcheurs, August 15, 1881. 2 pp. bi-feuillet.
“My dear Monsieur Monet
Your letter has been returned to me. I write to Mr Casburn [Charles Casburn, his accountant] to give you 800 francs according to your request. But how is it that you haven’t had any landscapes or flowers sent to you since your return from the sea?
You’re telling me you’ve done a bad job. It’s impossible that everything you’ve done has been bad.
I wanted to see you in Vetheuil [a village on the outskirts of Paris, where the painter had moved three years earlier with his ailing wife Camille and their two children]but I haven’t had much time to myself and as I haven’t received any letters from you, I was afraid I wouldn’t find you there. Before you head out to sea, send me what you have that’s good or even fair, since you think you’ve got nothing good. [His Jardin de l’artiste à Vétheuil ?]
If you’re going to the sea, come to Le Havre [?] In that case, come and see me here, where I’ll be until the 30th of this month.
I’m counting on you to make me masterpieces like you’re capable of doing. You need courage and confidence. I’m not counting the work, although I must recommend that you push your paintings as much as possible to silence the bad tongues.
Yours faithfully
DurandRuel”
Letter signed “Marriott”, Paris, March 28, 1881, to “Monsieur Claude Monet, chez Monsieur Lemarrois, Gd Quai à Fécamp (Seine Inférieure)”. [Monet had moved into the establishment of Victor Lemarrois, lemonade seller, on March 9]. 1 p. two-sheet.
“Please find enclosed in this envelope the sum of Seven Hundred Francs which Mr Durand-Ruel is sending you in cash please acknowledge receipt by return mail.
Yours sincerely
Po Mr Durand Ruel & Cie.
Marriott”
Letter signed “Marriott”, Paris, June 27, 1881, to “Monsieur Claude Monet, à Vetheuil (Seine et Oise)”. 1 p. two-sheet.
“Please find enclosed the sum of Two Thousand Five Hundred Francs in three bank bills […] that Mr. Durand Ruel will send you to settle all accounts, please acknowledge receipt by return mail.
Please accept, Sir, our warmest regards.
Po Mr Durand Ruel & Cie.
Marriott”
Letter signed “Marriott”, Paris, October 4, 1881, to “Monsieur Claude Monet, à Vetheuil”. 1 p. two-sheet.
“We have the honour of acknowledging receipt of your letter of 1st c[ouran]t by which you announced the dispatch of 5 paintings, which we received yesterday. [Including le Jardin de l’artiste à Vétheuil ?]
Please find enclosed the sum of three hundred francs which Mr Durand Ruel is sending you on account. Please acknowledge receipt by return mail. In a few days, he plans to send you more.
Yours sincerely
Po Mr Durand Ruel & Cie.
Marriott”
Letter signed “Marriott”, Paris, December 19, 1881, to “Monsieur Claude Monet, Villa St Louis, Poissy”. [He had just moved there with his two sons, Alice and her six children, having been unable to pay his rent in Vétheuil]. 1 p.
“We have the honor of sending you the following information under cover lhe sum of Five hundred francs in account sent to you by Mr Durand Ruel, please acknowledge receipt by return mail.
Please accept, dear Sir, our warmest regards.
Po Mr Durand Ruel & Cie.
Marriott”
Provenance : Claude Monet Archives (Artcurial auction sale, Paris, December 13, 2006, no. 58 in the catalog).
1 500 €