HENNER (Jean-Jacques). - Lot 120

HENNER (Jean-Jacques). Born in Bernwiller. 1829-1905. Painter. His work is abundantly represented in many museums. Renowned for his talent as a portraitist and draughtsman. Set of 26 letters signed "JJ Henner", including 24 addressed to Marie-Charlotte Thérèse Durvis, first wife Liouville (11) then wife Waldeck-Rousseau (13 letters), and two to her first husband Henri Liouville. S.l.n.d. 33 pages in all, various formats (in-12 and in-8). The painter thanks her for her various invitations and apologizes for any impossibility. Extracts: ...I was so troubled the other day and so upset that I forgot to write down the day of the invitation you kindly extended to me, and I realize that I am not free on any of these days. So I've come to appeal to your good indulgence, which I'm really abusing... ; ...Mr Marchal has been received. I am delighted to tell you this good news... ; ...I was so looking forward to coming to your house next Saturday... But, prevented, ...I have come to beg you to excuse me and to be my interpreter with Mr Waldeck-Rousseau... ; ...I am very touched by your kind indulgence and I will take care of myself and will not go out between now and January 2 to be able to come to your so gracious invitation... ; ...I am really out of luck. I'm engaged for this unfortunate last Wednesday and I chose the day myself. Judge my desolation... ; ...I have received the gracious invitation that you and Mr Waldeck-Rousseau kindly extended to me. I accept with the greatest pleasure, so you can count on me on Saturday April 13, and I'm looking forward to it... etc. He mentions a painter, Thomine Desmazures, whose painting neither he nor Feyen [Eugène Feyen, 1815-1908, painter and photographer] have found, and specifies, with regard to Marchal, ...sil na que le tableau la chambre de Gambetta pour lequel j'avais avec ses amis voulu le faire recevoir je ferai encore mon possible à la révision...To Henri Liouville...Il se trouve à lExposition une toile représentant une figure. This painting is by one of your compatriots, a young man named Marchal. In my opinion, it has extraordinary qualities and promises much for the future. This young man came to see me on behalf of your brother, who might be interested in him. In his department to get one of the department's courses. I am convinced that he would be a good employee and that this young man, as much as one can predict from a first painting, will one day do honor to his country. Marie Waldeck-Rousseau (Marie-Charlotte Thérèse Durvis, known as) 1854-1934, sculptor. Through her mother's remarriage, she became Jean-Baptiste Charcot's half-sister in 1864. In 1878, she married Henri Liouville. Their son Jacques (1879-1960), a doctor and explorer, took part in the second Pourquoi pas expedition alongside his uncle. She married Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau in 1888.Henri Marchal, born in Essey-les-Nancy, (1878-1942), entered the Salon des Artistes Français at the age of 18. He won his first Silver Medal in 1906 with La GrandMère, and his first Gold Medal with Portrait de Jeune fille in 1926.