Beschreibung:

RENOIR, Pierre-Auguste (1841-1919). Autograph letter signed ('Renoir') to 'Ma chère amie' (his wife, Aline Charigot), n.p., n.d. ('Samedi'). In French. 31⁄2 pages, 216 x 132mm on a bifolium, including four sketches, an address added in another hand in pencil on f.2v ('Maison savoie / Rue de Rouen / Dieppe / S[eine] inf[érieure]'). Asking his wife to order a new bed, including four sketches for its construction – and the risks of wearing 'absurd corsets'. Renoir has bought a new clock, so Aline can take the one from his studio in Rue St Georges. She is to give instructions to 'père Charles' to have a carpenter make him a bed-base, which he sketches, 'very low, of the size of our bed. The feet 20 centimeters, no more, webbing in the middle, and two mattresses, of seaweed ('varek') or something similar, so that it doesn't get eaten by worms, the whole thing covered with cloth like the one you bought for your curtains, and a red trimming'. Further sketches show the profile of the mattress, a view of the whole bed, and the frame alone, with a further note 'add two cushions'. He remarks that it must be unpleasantly hot in Paris, and perhaps 'père Charles' and Aline can wait for milder weather. Returning to the subject of the clock, Aline should have a 'commissionaire' pick it up for her – the pendulum needs to be removed; but perhaps it can await his return. Renoir adds a postscript after receiving a letter from Aline: 'this is the consequence of wearing absurd corsets and holding oneself badly. / I hope that after this lesson I shall find you eighteen years old on my return'. 'Tu diras au père Charles de me faire faire par un menuisier, ceci, très bas, de la grandeur de notre lit ... 20 centimètres de pieds pas plus, des sangles dans le milieu, et deux matelas en varek ou quelque chose d'analogue, pour que ça ne se mange pas aux vers, le tout recouvert en toile comme celle que tu as acheté[e] pour tes rideaux, et une garniture rouge ... Je viens de recevoir ta letter. / Voilà ce que c'est de mettre des corsets ridicules et de mal se tenir. / J'espère qu'après cette leçon je te trouverai 18 ans à mon retour'. Aline Charigot (1859-1915) was a frequent model for Renoir after meeting him in about 1880: they married in 1890. Please note this lot is the property of a private individual.