Cb21-Signed Autograph Letter from Ferdinand Humbert to Thomé Conservatory

  

HANDWRITTEN SIGNED LETTER FROM FERDINAND HUMBERT TO THOMÉ - CONSERVATOIRE. Handwritten signed letter addressed to a correspondent named Thomé. The correspondence consists of three handwritten pages, written in ink on a double sheet and signed “F.

Ferdinand Humbert asks his correspondent to support a young candidate taking part in a Conservatoire competition in the field of singing. Without claiming to judge the candidate’s artistic merits himself, he describes him as “a hardworking and very interesting young man,” for whom support could be useful. In a postscript, Humbert lists the members of the jury, including several major names in French music: Ambroise Thomas, Léo Delibes, Jules Massenet, Ernest Guiraud, Charles Lenepveu, Théodore Dubois, and Camille Saint-Saëns.

This letter is an interesting testimony to the Conservatoire competitions and to the networks of recommendation in artistic circles at the end of the 19th century. Ferdinand Humbert was a French painter, best known for his portraits and large decorative compositions. He also taught painting at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. The letter shows several horizontal and vertical folds, creases, numerous foxing spots and old stains, as well as a few small tears and edge wear.