199 - GOUNOD (Charles) (1818–1893). French composer. Winner of the First Grand Prix de Rome in 1839.

GOUNOD (Charles) (1818–1893). French composer. Winner of the First Grand Prix de Rome in 1839. Autograph letter signed “Ch. Gounod” to his friend, the painter Jules Richomme. Undated, February 9, 1868. 2 pages, in-12 format. Creases and signs of wear. An interesting letter in which Charles Gounod mentions speaking to the Count of Nieuwerkerke on behalf of the painter Jules Richomme. “As I promised you, I spoke to my colleague, the Count of Nieuwerkerke. He told me he was still thinking about your situation in Bordeaux: he remembered you perfectly well. He told me that only one thing was missing—money. That wretched money! That’s just like him: he’s always talking about nothing else. As soon as this difficulty is resolved, Nieuwerkerke assured me that you could count on him.” This letter attests to the steps taken by Gounod to support his friend Jules Richomme (1818–1906), a French painter and engraver. Alfred Émilien O’Hara, Count of Nieuwerkerke (1811–1892), was then Superintendent of Fine Arts and held a key position in the artistic administration of the Second Empire.