508 - Henri Matisse Autograph Letter Signed, Typed Letter Signed, and Sketch to the Musée National d’Art Moderne: Designing the Perfect Display and Negotiating a Sculpture Acquisition

Henri Matisse Autograph Letter Signed, Typed Letter Signed, and Sketch to the Musée National d’Art Moderne: Designing the Perfect Display and Negotiating a Sculpture Acquisition Unique archive of correspondence from Henri Matisse to Jean Leymarie of the Musée National d’Art Moderne, including an ALS with modified sketch and a TLS: - ALS signed "Henri Matisse," three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8.5, no date. In part (translated): "My friend, I have just received your letter and immediately sent you a telegram specifying the shade for the frame—a darker gray than the wall—so as to make the canvas appear set into the wall like a fresco. Allow me to point out that the frame is not thick enough...the rabbet should therefore be deepened by adding...as I have indicated on your sketch." Included is a hand-sketched diagram of the frame in question, with Matisse having added a "chassis" section for reinforcement. - TLS signed "H. Matisse," one page, 8 x 10.5, October 3, 1953. In part: "First of all, I would like to tell you how deeply touched I am by your persistent desire to add a sculpture of mine to your museum's collection, and I ask you to forgive the delay in my replying to your letters. Here is the situation regarding the pieces that interest you. 'The Serpentine' is sold out. The large bas-reliefs do not currently exist in bronze, as practical complications prevent their execution for the time being. You can therefore only choose from among the first four states of the 'Head of Jeannette,' because—here too—it is not possible for me to supply the final state, the fifth, at this moment. I believe the price of 200,000 francs for one of these heads will be acceptable to you." In overall very good to fine condition, with heavy wrinkling to the sketch.