Mary CASSATT (1841-1926). - Lot 36

Mary CASSATT (1841-1926). 9 L.A.S., [ca. 1882-1893], to Camille Pissarro; 21 pages in-8° and 2 pages in-12; in English Beautiful correspondence from Mary Cassatt to Pissarro. Château de Bachivillers [summer 1882?] They are almost neighbors, as she is staying in this château 6 km from Chaumont: she hopes he will come to see them and spend the night. She is interested in the London exhibition, but fears there won't be much encouragement for them in London. The Durand-Ruels have sent a portfolio of her work to Dowdeswell, but she gets no feedback. She hopes to exhibit in New York in the autumn, and if that happens she'll have nothing to send to London... Having arrived two days ago, she hasn't started painting, but she's going to, although she's afraid she won't be able to find any models. Her father is unwell... -13 avenue Trudaine. She telegraphed him about the country house in Auvers, as they had to abandon the one in Marly because of its dreadful owner, who behaved outrageously towards them. They were left with nothing, and she apologized for bothering him about it... - They finally rent the house next to the "Coeur Volant"... - Sunday. She asks Pissarro to receive a friend of Florence's, who has come to consult her about her art studies and is a great admirer of Pissarro's, for advice and counsel. Her father is very ill and she fears the worst... 10 rue de Marignan November 27 [1889?] After a pleasant summer in Septeuil, she is back at work, although she has no news of an exhibition. She draws and says she is very happy with her printing press, which she finds very practical and enjoyable: "One ought to print all one's own plates, only it is too hard work!"... She told Durand-Ruel to show Pissarro's drawings to acquaintances in New York: "Durand-Ruel is doing very well in America". She refused to contribute to the subscription for Manet, as Eugène Manet [the brother] assured her that this subscription had been opened to prevent the painting, which an American coveted, from leaving France... It's high time for another exhibition... Tuesday. She thanks him for so kindly agreeing to meet Miss Fahi, a young American girl who will be visiting on Thursday, and whom she will accompany if she can... She is delighted to know that his eyes are better. -Thursday [1891?]. She asks him if he would take pupils and if they could be accommodated in Éragny. How much would he charge for these lessons or rather "advice"?... Bachivillers June 17 [1892]. Pissarro is in England; as for her, after Florence, she is staying in Bachivillers for the next few months. She has been hired [with painter Mary MacMonnies] to execute a superb decoration for one of the buildings in Chicago for the World Fair. Degas is beside himself at the idea of women being employed for such a job: "he has handed me over to destruction"!... She hoped that next year they would resume their fight against the etchers... Mme Manet [Berthe Morisot] exhibits her paintings at Boussod et Valladon, a very charming collection... Etc. ATTACHED: a L.A.S. from Mme Cassatt mère, invitation to the "breakfast" at Bachivillers [1892]. Provenance: Archives of Camille Pissarro (sale November 21, 1975, no. 9).