MANESSIER (Alfred). - Lot 155

MANESSIER (Alfred). Born in Saint-Ouen. 1911-1993. Painter, lithographer, illustrator, one of the masters of the Nouvelle École de Paris. L.A.S. "Alf. Manessier" to "Vieux Yves, Chère Geneviève". Paris-Plage (Le Touquet), August 13, 1934. 4 pages in-folio. Autograph annotations (list of color names) at head, in another hand. BEAUTIFUL AND RARE EARLY LETTER FROM THIS INTERNATIONALLY-AWARDED PAINTER AND LEADING EXPONENT OF LYRICAL ABSTRACTION.Nostalgic for Provence, where the painter had stayed with his friend Jean Le Moal a few months earlier: ...I've just come back from a good session and I'm taking advantage of it to write to you, as I've been in such a state of distress for the last 15 days that I've been on vacation that I didn't dare write to anyone; well, let's not talk about it any more, it's over. Yes, I've discovered a region of amazing dunes near here (Paris-Plage)! A mine... During the 15 days of bad weather, I entered into the intimacy of Liszt and Madame d'Agoult (their correspondence. Grasset. Ed.) magnificent... I recommend it to you, especially the second book. And you, Yves, what are you doing? I wish you less bad luck than me. I haven't written to Jean [Le Moal] yet, I don't know if he's in Rouen or Brittany and I don't know if he scratches! Let's hope so. And this old "Paup"? I stuck a canvas between two storms and now it's replete, I'm soaked, but I'm lai. What can I tell you that's new? Ah! I won a 3rd medal in the construction competition (happy parents). From paintings point since the famous trip. Many thanks for you: I've become a big olive eater (I eat them at every meal) and they're a wonderful source of memories for me. Alfred Manessier attended the École des Beaux-Arts in Amiens, then came to Paris in 1929, where he entered the architecture section. In 1933, he exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants. His compositions are figurative and highly colorful. He befriended Jean Le Moal in Bissière's workshop. In 1943, during a stay at the Soligny Trappist monastery, he discovers the faith that will mark the rest of his life and work, and to which he will give abstract expression. A convinced Christian, he was involved throughout his life in the social and political struggles of his time.