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

GOUNOD (Charles). Paris, 1818–1893. French composer. Winner of the First Grand Prix de Rome in 1839. Autograph letter signed “Ch. Gounod” to “My dear little Jules” [the painter Jules Richomme]. Saint-Cloud, July 16, 1867. 2 pages, in-8 format, on blue paper. Preserved stamped and franked envelope. A BEAUTIFUL, FRIENDLY LETTER FROM GOUNOD TO HIS CLOSE FRIEND, THE PAINTER JULES RICHOMME, MENTIONING HIS ADMISSION INTO THE “CORPORATION OF DECORATED ARTISTS” AND AN UPCOMING MEETING. The composer informs his friend of his admission into the “Corporation of Decorated Artists” and expresses his joy at sharing this news. “You really made me beg to get you into the Corporation of the Decorated; but, mercy for all sins; and since you’re now a member, I, as one of your old friends, would like to celebrate your ribbon. ” Gounod then invites Richomme to come to his home in Saint-Cloud for dinner, along with his wife: “I’ll be waiting for you in Saint-Cloud for this occasion—you and your dear wife—the day after tomorrow, Wednesday, at 6 p.m.” He ends on a humorous note, alluding to his state of health: “Imagine, my old friend, that I’m in the process of getting over an anthrax that I just came down with halfway down my body—and it wasn’t in the front—and it caused me terrible pain. That’s at least the fiftieth one in the last 15 months.” INTERESTING AND FAMILIAR CORRESPONDENCE TESTIFYING TO THE CLOSE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE COMPOSER AND THE PAINTER JULES RICHOMME. Jules Richomme (1818–1903), a French painter and engraver, was a close friend of Gounod, with whom he maintained a long correspondence. He also created religious scenes and contributed to the decoration of several Parisian churches.