Ingres & L’Apotheosis Of Napoleon I: « I'M Confiné IN My Workshop Where's My for Sale

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Ingres & L’Apotheosis Of Napoleon I: « I'M Confiné IN My Workshop Where's My For Sale

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Ingres & L’Apotheosis Of Napoleon I: « I'M Confiné IN My Workshop Where's My:
$1933.38

Ingres & The Apotheosis of Napoleon I: "I am confined to my studio where my great work absorbs all my time"Ingres & The Apotheosis of Napoleon I: "I am confined to my studio where my great work absorbs all my time"

Document type : signed autograph letter

Number of documents: 1 - Number of pages: 2 p. - Size: In-8

Place : Paris

Date : October 4, 1853

RECIPIENT : "My dear friend" [Michel-Augustin Varcollier (1795-1882)]

State : Good.

Beautiful letter from Ingres evoking his "great work", i.e. most likely "The Apotheosis of Napoleon I", painted for the ceiling of the Salon de la Paix at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, and completed at the beginning of 1854 (ceiling destroyed in 1871, at the time of the Commune).

"I had the regret of not finding you yesterday evening when I presented myself there; I had seized one of my rare moments of freedom which my work leaves me, to know your news and those of your dear family, whom I haven't seen for so long! but unfortunately ! I no longer see anyone I am confined to my studio where my great work absorbs all my time; I hope to be returned to freedom and to my friends next year and I look forward to it. I hear from you sometimes, Mr. Sudre gave it to me the other day; he told me how kind you were to him, near the Prince, whose benevolence towards me flattered me too. Sudre as you know is a first talent in lythography [sic] so far he has not obtained any particular distinction, I have several times asked for the cross for him without result; I would be much obliged to you, if you found the occasion to interest the Prince in his favor and to support my request, with your credit which, I have no doubt, would be of favorable help. I hope, dear friend, to soon make a happier attempt at your door; Believe in my very sincere friendship and please offer my very affectionate homage to your dear Atala […]". Varcollier's wife, Pauline Marie Françoise "Atala" Stamaty, was the goddaughter of François-René de Chateaubriand.

Jean-Pierre Sudré (1780-1866), pupil of David, he was Ingres' lithographer.

Brown ink on double sheet.

Jean-Auguste Dominique Ingres (Montauban, 1780/1867)French painter.