REBELLIAU (Alfred) - Lot 265

REBELLIAU (Alfred) HANOTAUX (Gabriel) (Beauvoir, 1853 – Paris, 1944) French diplomat, historian, and politician. Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Third Republic, member of the Académie française (elected in 1897). Author of major historical works, notably on Richelieu and the diplomatic history of France. Autographed postcard, signed “Yours, G. Hanotaux,” addressed to Auguste Lepère. Paris, February 25, 1902. 1 page, in-12 format. Postmark and postal marks. An interesting letter regarding an illustrated publication involving Rodin. In this postcard addressed to the engraver and illustrator Auguste Lepère, Hanotaux comments on the editorial presentation of a booklet related to the centennial of Victor Hugo. He strongly insists on the need to include the name of Auguste Rodin, the creator of the model for the engraved portrait: “I think it is impossible to publish the booklet without including Rodin’s name…” He even specifies how the credit should be given, mentioning the header and the colophon, and concluding by expressing his preference for highlighting it on the very first page. This document is particularly remarkable for: - the presence of three major figures: Gabriel Hanotaux (politician and historian) Auguste Lepère (engraver) Auguste Rodin (leading sculptor) - its direct connection to a commemorative publication about Victor Hugo; - a detailed account of publishing practices and the issues surrounding artistic attribution in the early 20th century; - a reflection on the hierarchy of names in a printed work (author, artist, executor). This letter highlights the recognition of the artist’s role in the published work, at a time when the question of authorship and visual authorship was becoming central. On the occasion of Victor Hugo’s centennial (1902), Hanotaux delivered a speech at the Panthéon. The speech was published and illustrated, notably with a portrait engraved by Lepère after a model by Rodin. This letter is part of the preparation for that edition, revealing the correspondence between the author, the artist, and the publisher.