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DAVID, Jacques-Louis (1748–1825) A very fine signed autograph letter, dated May 22, 1818, from Brussels, addressed to the painter François-Joseph Navez (1787–1869). One quarto-sized sheet, in beautiful, flowing handwriting, written on both sides. Navez, who had been sent to Rome by the Brussels Society of Fine Arts, had submitted some of his works to the discerning eye of his mentor and friend Jacques-Louis David—who was in exile in Brussels—at the home of the de Hemptinne family. In this letter, David does not mince words: “What I like best about your painting is the sentiment; but the color lacks resolve—it does not yet possess that character that distinguishes a master’s work; it smacks of a timid student, (...)”. The contents of this letter were published in Louis Alvin’s entry on François-Joseph Navez in the 1871 Yearbook of the Royal Academy of Belgium, page 117. The painting referred to in the letter is likely the “Holy Family, the Virgin Embracing the Infant Jesus,” which was given to Mademoiselle de Hemptinne. Dimensions: +/- 25.7 x 20.3 cm.
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