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142
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RENOIR, Jean (1894–1979), French film director and screenwri…
See original version (French)
142
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RENOIR, Jean (1894–1979), French film director and screenwri…
See original version (French)
Estimate €800 - €1,200
Voluntary lot
Description
RENOIR, Jean (1894–1979),
French film director and screenwriter.
Son of the painter Auguste Renoir and his wife,
Dido FREIRE (1907–1990), a Brazilian script supervisor.
Extensive correspondence comprising approximately 54
signed typewritten letters (some handwritten), addressed
to the painter Albert André (1869–1954), a close friend of Auguste
Renoir, and to his wife, the painter Marguerite Cornillac,
known as Maleck. Hollywood, Calcutta, Beverly Hills and Rome,
1941 to 1973. Approximately 70 pages, mostly in-4. Letterheads
of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation,
RKO Radio Pictures, etc. A few envelopes retained.
Fascinating correspondence from Jean Renoir and his wife,
particularly during their time in America from 1941 to 1947. A substantial collection of approximately 54
signed typewritten letters (some handwritten), addressed
to the painter Albert André (1869–1954), a close friend of Auguste
Renoir and his wife, the painter Marguerite Cornillac, known as
Maleck. Hollywood, Calcutta, Beverly Hills and Rome, 1941
to 1973. Approximately 70 pp., mostly in-4. Letterheads from the
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, RKO Radio
Pictures, etc. A few envelopes preserved.
Approximately 23 letters are signed by Jean Renoir and approximately 34 by
Dido (some letters are co-signed, one postcard, etc.).
Arriving in America in 1941, Jean Renoir had signed
a contract with Fox to direct their films. From these
lengthy conversations, we shall give only a few
excerpts: -Hollywood, 22 May 1941. 1½ pages, quarto: ‘I am
sending you a photograph of one of Papa’s paintings [Baigneuse,
photo enclosed] which was purchased by the Buffalo Museum
[Albright Art Gallery] […]. I’m enclosing their letter [copy
enclosed]. I must tell you that my father is the man who does
the most to promote our country here […] I’m thinking
of you and Malek, and I’m also thinking terribly of the
Cézannes. Materially speaking, I am very happy here, but […]
I miss ‘home’. I must tell you that I can barely speak
a word of English, which limits conversation. I must
also tell you that I work in a rather difficult profession.
I try to get by by spending time with Americans who
aren’t in this line of work. […] The light isn’t bad.
Very Claude Monet. Often veiled by thick fog.
[…] The studios are veritable cities and I’m sure
the budget for the company I work for is at least
the equivalent of that of a department back home […].
A big disappointment as far as the beauty of the women is concerned
[…]”.
Jean Renoir discusses the difficulties of his work, his films
(notably ‘Woman on the Beach’), his film projects,
his theatre work, his travels, the Cézannes, André’s book
dedicated to Auguste Renoir, the exodus and the Second World War; they
send numerous parcels filled with items, though
the ‘Andrés’ are missing (shoes, socks, sugar, etc.), the return of
their son Alain after the war, French paintings in
American collections (André, Cézanne, Duffy, Monet,
Picasso, Utrillo, Braque, Rouault), the Slades, etc. A letter
from Dido is addressed to Renée Cezanne, the painter’s daughter-in-law.
Enclosed: a handwritten letter from Jean Renoir to Besson; a handwritten letter from
Jean Renoir to Jacqueline Besson; a telegram from the same
to A. André; a handwritten letter from Gabrielle Slade (nanny and friend
of Jean Renoir, model for Auguste Renoir) to Maleck; 3 handwritten letters
from Alain Renoir to Jacqueline Besson
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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