GAUGUIN Paul (1848-1903)

Lot 53
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Estimation :
15000 - 20000 EUR
GAUGUIN Paul (1848-1903)
Signed autograph letter addressed to [William MOLARD]. Tahiti, November 1895], 3 pages ¼ in-4 in ink on paper (folds and tears). Superb letter addressed to the Swedish composer William Molard, whose portrait he made, on his installation in Tahiti, in Punaauia, near Papeete. He comments on a photograph he sent him: "in spite of the static side where these women are crouching, there is in my ear a certain rhythm, if not barbaric, at least very primitive. It is true that I am inclined to see this because of my Marote - (the music suggested by the sight). It is said that in the darkness one does not know if one really smokes one's cigar. I can't see a monkey blowing in a candy cane without having the perception of sounds in my ear. Ah! the dream as it is easy to find it real [...]". "How I pity you for not being in my place, sitting quietly in the hut; I have before me the sea, and Morea who changes appearance every quarter of an hour. A pareo and that's all: no suffering from the heat or the cold. Ah Europe! [...]». Then he gives news of the Tahitian islands in revolt since 1890: Huahine, Bora Bora and Raiata which claimed to "govern themselves. Mr. Chessé came here to bring back the lost children. Two of them gave in and the warship was with400 Tahitians all the authorities and I had reconciliation parties. I assure you that we spoke, shouted, sang 4 days and 4 extraordinary nights of rejoicing just like in Kythera. You don't have an idea of that in France. It remains now to conquer Raiatea and that is another story because we will have to fire the cannon, burn, kill; a work of civilization it seems. I don't know if I am so curious that I will attend the battle and I admit that I am tempted but on the other hand I am disgusted by it. She is a queer queen than the queen of Bora Bora, and my faith a far-sighted spirit. Seeing that the celebrations are completely Tahitian, she decreed: 1° During the celebrations all the laws concerning marriage w
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