ID 870722
Lot 77 | BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869)
Autograph letter signed ('H. Berlioz') to his sister, [Nancy Pal], n.p. [Paris], 20 July [1849].
In French. Four pages, 213 x 134mm.
'In such a disorganised society Art and artist are so superfluous that I'm amazed they haven't been expelled': a scintillating letter mentioning Napoleon III, describing the near-death of his wife, Harriet Smithson, and castigating the coarseness of Parisian society. The letter opens with the amused observation that every member of the Berlioz family seems to be at a spa – 'We seem to be very aquatic in our family!'. Berlioz has bumped into the future Emperor Napoleon III, then President of France: 'Talking of Empire, there has been a slight swing in its favour. We'll see. I met the President out in the street yesterday. We recognised and greeted each other most amiably. I behaved very graciously towards him ... I'm in quite good spirits today, because a considerable weight has been lifted from my mind. Four days ago, Henriette [his estranged wife, Harriet Smithson] had a third [apoplectic] attack, which was even more violent than the preceding ones – at one point I thought I was watching her die ... Thankfully a timely and abundant bleeding dispelled the worst symptoms ... But for two days the poor invalid recognised nobody – she would stare fixedly at me but her eyes were dull and blank. Since yesterday she's been much better ...'. Paris is closing down for the summer: 'The Opera is closed. All the other theatres are going to follow suit and lock their doors. In these times of Liberty, Fraternity and Equality (– and of coarseness, dishonesty and stupidity) nobody is interested in anything except what fills the stomach. In such a disorganised society Art and artist are so superfluous that I'm amazed they haven't been expelled, in the same way as useless mouths to feed are chased out of besieged and starving towns'; if only Berlioz could flee Europe and live among 'simple, primitive savages, where I'd never again hear mention of our own savages – systematic, ferocious and corrupt'.
Nancy Pal (1806-1850) was the elder of Berlioz's two surviving sisters, three years younger than the composer. He remained close to both of them throughout his life, addressing Nancy as 'Nanci' in correspondence. Correspondance générale, 1271.
Special notice
This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
| Artiste: | Hector Berlioz (1803 - 1869) |
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| Lieu d'origine: | Europe de l'Ouest, France, Europe |
| Catégorie maison de vente aux enchères: | Lettres, documents et manuscrits |
| Artiste: | Hector Berlioz (1803 - 1869) |
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| Lieu d'origine: | Europe de l'Ouest, France, Europe |
| Catégorie maison de vente aux enchères: | Lettres, documents et manuscrits |
| Adresse de l'enchère |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London Royaume-Uni | |
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| Aperçu |
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| Téléphone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
| Commission | see on Website | |
| Conditions d'utilisation | Conditions d'utilisation |
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| Numéro de lot | 77 |
|---|---|
| Maison de vente aux enchères | CHRISTIE'S |
| Date de l'enchère | 14.12.2022 |
Votre ordre: £ 1 200
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C'est votre enchère maximale, qui est transmise à la maison de vente aux enchères. Si l'enchère maximale est plus haut que le prix minimal de l'article, le commissaire-priseur offrira pour vous jusqu'à la hauteur de l'enchère maximale.
| Numéro de lot | 77 |
|---|---|
| Maison de vente aux enchères | CHRISTIE'S |
| Date de l'enchère | 14.12.2022 |
Erreur ordre
| Numéro de lot | 77 |
|---|---|
| Maison de vente aux enchères | CHRISTIE'S |
| Date de l'enchère | 14.12.2022 |
Вы уже сделали ставку в € 40 000 и ставка принята аукционным домом. Если вы хотите ее уменьшить, то обратитесь напрямую в администрацию аукционного дома.
Erreur ordre
| Numéro de lot | 77 |
|---|---|
| Maison de vente aux enchères | CHRISTIE'S |
| Date de l'enchère | 14.12.2022 |
Вы не можете делать ставки в данном АД, т.к. были внесены в черный список.
Statut de l'offre
| Numéro de lot | 77 |
|---|---|
| Maison de vente aux enchères | CHRISTIE'S |
| Date de l'enchère | 14.12.2022 |