François GÉRARD (1770-1837). L.S., August 18, to an "old comrade"; the letter is written by his pupil and collaborator Marie-Éléonore Godefroid; 1 1/2 pages in-4. He was sensitive to his correspondent's letter: "You can judge better than anyone, Monsieur, of the price I must attach to your suffrage, to which talent and the most exercised and purest taste give so much value. I would consider myself fortunate to be able to benefit from your useful criticism. I need to believe that one day I will return to our beloved Italy. It is a desire and a hope that I cannot abandon. Unfortunately, I can only see the moment when I will be able to enjoy the Arts in this promised land, in the midst of a society that knows how to appreciate them so well. It's impossible for me to judge when the work I've been entrusted with, which is barely out of the germ stage, will enable me to realize such cherished projects. What I can say with certainty is that the advantage of finding you in Rome is not the least of those I propose to gain from this happy journey"...