Autograph letter signed by RAFFAËLLI, 1896, painter admired by VAN GOGH, 4 pages

  

Signed handwritten letter by RAFFAËLLI, 1896, painter admired by VAN GOGH. Sent from Barbastro, Spain, to Mr.

ALBOIZE (museum in Paris) – CHICAGO – LOUVRE.

Superb four-page handwritten letter in violet ink, written from Barbastro during Raffaëlli’s return journey from the United States (Chicago). He describes his lectures and exhibitions under electric lighting before audiences of more than 2,000 people, and develops a bold idea: charging admission to the Louvre, a proposal he considers putting to Rodin and Puvis de Chavannes.

Connections with the great painters.

Jean-François Raffaëlli, painter, sculptor, and printmaker, was active within Impressionist and Post-Impressionist circles.

Edgar Degas invited him to exhibit with the Impressionists, demonstrating a close, direct relationship. He associated with Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, and Paul Cézanne through the same exhibitions and artistic networks. Monet and Renoir even criticized his realist style at the 1881 exhibition, evidence of their direct engagement with his work. Raffaëlli was also known to Paul Gauguin, who moved in the same Parisian circles as Degas, Pissarro, and Forain. Finally, Vincent van Gogh deeply admired Raffaëlli. Theo van Gogh purchased several of his prints, which are now held at the Van Gogh Museum.

This 1896 letter therefore comes from an artist recognized, discussed, and respected by the greatest names of his time, considerably enhancing its historical and museum significance. A letter of major historical interest, shedding light on artists’ thinking about financial matters at the end of the 19th century.

The original envelope is included, bearing two Spanish “Comunicaciones” stamps (10c + 15c), with a clearly legible postmark: BARBASTRO / HUESCA / 221 / 18 SEP 96.

RAFFAËLLI” blind-embossed stamp appears on the reverse, applied by the artist himself to authenticate his important correspondence.

Condition: excellent—fresh paper, clear handwriting, complete letter, and clean envelope.

An entirely unpublished and previously unrecorded letter, documenting a new episode in the life of Jean-François Raffaëlli: his return from the United States via Spain and his stay in Barbastro in 1896. Its contents reveal previously unknown biographical details: an exhibition in Chicago under electric lighting, a proposal to charge admission to the Louvre, and exchanges with Rodin and Puvis de Chavannes.

A primary-source document and an exceptional discovery. A museum-quality collector’s item. Other similar items are available—please visit my shop, 29collections.