Eugène BOUDIN (1824-1898). - Lot 30

Eugène BOUDIN (1824-1898). L.A.S., Paris May 25, 1867, to his brother Louis; 3 pages in-8°. He is very preoccupied "by the absorbing side of the profession, which consists in seeking a constant improvement that one has great difficulty in finding, perhaps because of the ardent desire and persistence one puts into pursuing it". His health is just about fine, but "the boss" is still ill". So they postponed their departure for Brittany, especially as he was behind with his work: "I have to finish various things that are in progress"... His brother, who wants to start a newspaper, has commissioned a woodcut from him, which he has not yet begun. But this project worries him: "My idea is that you won't last long, and that it's a risky business that's not viable [...] assuming you find a few subscriptions, you may be able to cover part of your printing costs, and you'll go into debt with each print run. What's more, you'll be taking on the title of populaire, which is intended to appeal to the greatest number of people; but the popular are f.... of literature; they need something snooty or salty, and your paper is more a literary paper than a critical one - and criticism in the provinces is seldom read".... He wouldn't want Louis to embark "on an affair without glory or profit". If he's determined, he recommends changing the title, which is really no good. "I'm quite ready to make you a wood that I'll give to engrave [...] I'd need a small piece of photography of the lighthouses in order to indicate them on the top of the cliff. [...] You're going to be short of art news. I don't know what to tell you & my indifference is such that I haven't yet visited the Exhibition, even though it will soon be coming to an end"...