HÉLION, Jean (1904-1987, Jean Bichier, dit) - photo 1
HÉLION, Jean (1904-1987, Jean Bichier, dit) - photo 2

HÉLION, Jean (1904-1987, Jean Bichier, dit)

Lot 388
13.03.2024 14:00UTC +01:00
Classic
Starting price
€ 400
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationFrance, Paris
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1166653
Lot 388 | HÉLION, Jean (1904-1987, Jean Bichier, dit)
Estimate value
€ 400 – 600
HÉLION, Jean (1904-1987, Jean Bichier, dit)
Lettre autographe signée, adressée à John Bertram Oakes. Paris, le 20 avril 1962.
2 pp. sur 2 ff. in-4 (268 x 207 mm), montées, contrecollées et encadrées avec leur enveloppe d'origine. En anglais, à l'encre noire. Pliures dues à l'envoi d'origine.

Hélion écrit ici au journaliste américain John Bertram Oakes (1913-2001), éditorialiste au New York Times, notamment rendu célèbre par son opposition à la guerre du Vietnam. Hélion évoque d'abord un ami commun, probablement Thomas Messer, directeur de la Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (1920-2013). Messer aurait indiqué à l'artiste que Oakes possédait une de ses toiles, "Abstraction 1935", provenant de la collection de Walter P. Chrysler, et qu'il avait acquise aux enchères.
Décrivant le contexte de réalisation de cette série d'Abstractions, qui précède la guerre et sa captivité dont il revient "avec d'autres images dans la tête", Hélion explique qu'il n'en a peint que très peu et que certains de ses amis cherchent désespérément à faire en l'acquisition. Il demande donc à Oates s'il accepterait de se séparer de sa toile "au profit de cet ami, qui est prêt à offrir un prix acceptable". Il conclut la lettre en invitant Oates à venir le voir à son atelier parisien, lors d'un prochain voyage en France.

Autograph letter signed, in English, sent by the painter Jean Hélion to the New York Times' s editorial page editor, John Bertram Oakes. Hélion mentions one of his paintings, formerly in Walter P. Chrysler's collection, bought at auction by Oakes. Indicating that "there are comparatively few of these compositions and [that] some of [his] friends here are trying to find some of that [pre-War] period", he asks of Oates would contemplate selling his painting, "at a decent price". He then invites Oates to "visit [his] studio when [he is] next in Paris".
Place of origin:France
Auction house category:Letters, documents and manuscripts
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
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