GOUNOD (Charles). - Lot 109

GOUNOD (Charles). 1818-1893. French composer. Grand prix de Rome (1839). L.A.S. "Ch. Gounod" to music publisher Georges Hartmann (Paris ?), February 15, 1888. 1 1/2 pages in-8. Charles Gounod, who won the Prix de Rome in 1839, wishes the same success to his great friend, the painter Jules Richomme, who unfortunately failed the competition.VERY BEAUTIFUL AND PRECIOUS LETTER BETWEEN TWO YOUNG ARTISTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE LASCENSION IN THEIR ARTISTIn 1846, Jules Richomme, after failing the Prix de Rome competition several times, finally visited Italy, where he was received in Rome by Ingres, the director of the Villa Médicis....I know and I feel well the immense advantages that would result for you, a good and true artist, from a stay in Italy and especially in Rome, where we are sent and which is so well suited to fertilize what first nature may have given of sap to each one. But one person's life doesn't turn out the same as another's, and we've seen the luck of the prize turn for mediocrities, sometimes to the detriment of real, solid talent: and if there's anything better to wish for someone than to have the prize over his comrades, it's to be worth more than two, which hasn't always been the same thing. If I am to judge by something that happened to me, I [saw] myself prevail in my admission to the Competition over a man who was certainly worth much more than me at the time, and gave much more proof than I did of my hopes for the future... [My good mother wrote to me that you were awaiting a commission from the Government which might make you give up the Competition for this year (...). You are already, on the other hand, according to what my mother tells me, working for the work you are paid for: come on dear friend, so much the better: may you put into the painting we are testing what few painters ordinarily put into the one they want to sell. (...), I have a lot of confidence that your feeling in matters of art will be very sympathetic to me, and I wish dear friend that I for my part could have to offer you the same. I would consider this a great happiness, and one of those fortuitous causes that bring us closer together and make us even more attached. I hear that since they met, Hyppolite Flandrin and Thomas have reached this point [the painter Hippolyte Flandrin and the composer Ambroise Thomas]: I think this is very fortunate and must be a source of great pleasure. Why don't you write me a little about everything that's on your mind: a few short summaries will bring me up to speed. Jules Richomme, son of the engraver Théodore Richomme, was born and died in Paris (1818-1903). Painter, draughtsman and engraver, he painted mainly genre scenes, historical and religious pictures. He shared with Camille Corot the decoration of the chapels of the Virgin and Saint-Nicolas for the Ville d'Avray church. He also signed a number of church decorations, including one for Saint-Séverin church in Paris. He also made decorations for the town of Cherbourg. His workshop was located at 15 Cité Pigalle in Paris. Throughout his life, Jules Richomme maintained a remarkable correspondence with his friend, the musician Charles Gounod, elements of which were published by his son-in-law André Beaunier.