Paul Signac (1863-1935)
Lot 122 Chemin de Richelieu, La Rochelle, 21st July 1920

Dear Monsieur Monet,

You will certainly be seeing Bonnard soon and he’ll tell you what a miserable winter I spent. It took me a long time to regain my strength after my vile illness in February. I lingered in Paris until June but couldn’t work or write or even walk, so I couldn’t take advantage of your kind invitation. It would have been such a pleasure for me to spend a beautiful day at Giverny with you and to see your great works. Please forgive me. I’m mortified by such a missed opportunity.

The doctors sent me to Mont-Dore! But at the very thought of sharing the dinner table at that health spa, I fled. I decided I’d rather take a watercolor cure in this port with its multicolored sails and hulls and its silvery light. It’s picturesque enough to make even a cubist or a neo-Davidian foam at the mouth! And the treatment has really done me good: my strength is returning and work is picking up.

With friendly and respectful greetings,

Yours sincerely,

Paul Signac

My kind regards to the Butlers if they are still with you.

Property from the family of Claude Monet

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Autograph letter to Claude Monet

Closed26 November 2017

Price Realised

HKD 562,500

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Paul Signac (1863-1935)
Autograph letter to Claude Monet
dated, located and addressed ‘Chemin de Richelieu La Rochelle. 21 Juillet 1920 Cher Monsieur Monet.' (below the composition); signed ‘Paul Signac’ (at the end of the letter)
watercolor, pencil and ink on folded paper
8 1/8 x 13 ¼ in. (20.4 x 33.2 cm.)
Executed in La Rochelle, 21 July 1920

Claude Monet, Giverny (July 1920).
Michel Monet, Giverny (by descent from the above).
Rolande Verneiges, France (gift from the above).
By descent from the above to the present owner.

Specialist note

Marina Ferretti has confirmed the authenticity of this work.