GAUGUIN Paul (1848-1903)

Autograph signed letter addressed to the painter and friend Émile SCHUFFENECKER S.l.n.d. La Martinique, septembreoctobre 1887], 2 pages in-4 in ink on blue squared paper with printed letterhead " Fabrique spéciale de toiles imperméable & inpourrissables. Dillies & Cie. P. Gauguin, Representative. (Superficial stains, deep crease tears and small tears at the edges; lower corners torn off). One of Gauguin's last letters to the painter Émile Schuffenecker (1851-1934) in Paris on the first trip to the West Indies that he had undertaken with his friend Charles Laval (1862-1894). Gauguin and Laval then suffered from yellow fever and tried to return to Paris but their return was delayed for lack of money. "...] To expose my position here. I am still sick and can only recover with a different climate: every mail I receive falls back with the fever caused by the emotion. Although I'm going to hobble around enough to make up for lost time and do some good paintings. I will bring back a dozen canvases, four of them with figures far superior to my time in Pont Aven - I have, by the arrival of the 250f, the 56f that you sent me, to eat with two, that is to say for a month and a half, because I can only take the mail 15 days after the arrival of the one who brings letters. You must understand our sufferings and the little strength that this food can give to a sick person to recover. With this I have not had any letters from my wife since I have been here and here are two letters that I am writing to her among others one that would explain my illness. What is happening on this side? and all my nights are in insomnia because of this - If my wife were to die at this moment I would be in a fine mess with regard to my children - I must return to France by all means and I have no other means of travel than the liner which does not give credit. You have to come back from your holidays with a lot of good studies. I am sure that the con