BARBET DE JOUY (Henry) - Lot 219

BARBET DE JOUY (Henry) Cantelieu, 1812 - 1896. French archaeologist, art historian and curator. Director of the Louvre from 1879 to 1881, he played a major role in the organization of national collections and the development of French museums in the 19th century. L.A.S. "Barbet de Jouy" to Alfred Darcel. Paris, Musée du Louvre, August 23, 1875. 2 pp. in-12 on mourning paper. Charming letter addressed to archaeologist and curator Alfred Darcel, then director of the Manufacture des Gobelins. Barbet de Jouy acknowledges receipt of a letter brought by "M. Buiss", whom he warmly recommends to his correspondent: "I would be very happy to be of use to you and very eager to please you". He thus solicits Darcel's support for this visitor, whom he presents as "one of my best friends". The letter continues in a particularly courteous tone, testifying to the close relations between the leading curators and administrators of French art institutions in the nascent Third Republic. An interesting document illustrating the networks of sociability in the Parisian museum world around the Louvre and the Gobelins. Beautiful autograph letter of recommendation, elegantly calligraphed, signed "H. Barbet de Jouy".