MIRBEAU (Octave). Set of 5 signed autograph letters. - Lot 141

MIRBEAU (Octave). Set of 5 signed autograph letters. To the painter Jean-François Raffaëlli. S.d. "No, in truth, you make me blush...". Thanks for a favorable review by Raffaëlli of Mirbeau's "poor daubs", with ACID REMARKS ON ART CRITICISM IN FRANCE. Nice passage on friendship, "a flower more beautiful and robust than all others, a flower always blooming and always fragrant". - To the same. S.d. "You can count on me. Just tell me how much time you can give me; for I'm not doing very well, and the slightest intellectual effort overwhelms me. I'm taking care of myself, and I hope it won't be long, but in any case, I'm yours, dear friend. I promise on my honour. It also goes without saying that I don't want the hundred francs. You'd spoil all the fun I'd have working for you. WHEREAS YOU ARE TOO GENUINE TO OFFER ME A DRAWING, I ACCEPT IT, THOUGH I WILL BE PAID SO MUCH FOR YOUR TALENT, WHICH I LOVE SO MUCH, and for the precious memory I shall have of it..." - To the same. - To the same. S.d. "I have just received your magnificent and tender letter. You cannot believe the pleasure you give me, for THESE SUNS, THESE FLOWERS, THESE FRUITS, YOU HAVE PAINTED EXPRESSLY FOR ME, AND THIS THOUGHT DOUBLED THE PRICE. And how beautiful these flowers are, and how splendid these suns; how charming and powerful the arrangement; and what a superb design! You've given sunflowers the extraordinary life, the strangely golden bird-like aspect that they really have, and that only artists like you and poets understand and love. You tell me you enjoyed painting them. It shows, my dear friend. There's love, there's caress in this delightful painting, so delightful and so robust, and of such strong and elegant art! With lines so supple, and colors so luscious. Thanks to you, I shall always have before me these flowers I love so much, and you have given me a perpetual summer...". - To a "dear friend" [Paul Hervieu, from a pencil note in another hand]. "THAT JEAN LORRAIN! HE MAKES SUCH A FUSS ABOUT IT. And all to end up in disappointment! Well, that's that. See you on Saturday! See you Saturday at ten, so that before lunch I can gargle my mind with the wonders of your third chapter. I DIDN'T GO TO MONET'S YESTERDAY. I'm sick as a dog! And sad enough to stick a knife in my heart. My great sympathy no longer works at all. I kiss you..." Paul Hervieu was one of the closest friends of Octave Mirbeau, who was himself a great friend and supporter of Claude Monet. - To bookbinder Paul Vié. S.d. On books belonging to him, including a copy of VERLAINE's Fêtes galantes.