Manet to Bracquemond

Jean-Paul Bouillon

"This new edition publishes the letters addressed by Édouard Manet (1832-1883) to his friend, the artist Félix Bracquemond (1833-1914). The correspondence, for the most part unknown, surfaced at a sale in Paris in June 2016 and was acquired the next year by the Fondation Custodia with the generous help of Jean-Luc Baroni. It is edited here for the first time by Jean-Paul Bouillon, whose lifelong occupation with Bracquemond's life and work has enabled him to situate the mostly undated letters accurately and discuss their contents in the context of both artist's careers. The letters are presented in their original French language, accompanied by meticulous comments on their dating and subject matter, whereas illustrations reproduce most of the works alluded to in the texts. They are preceded by a comprehensive introduction on the friendship between the two men which highlights the...