Description

Manuscript and drawings from a sleeping fit by Robert Desnos, annotated by André Breton and dated 27 October 1922. This unique session serves up a veritable dream novel, in which an exalted Desnos even screams. The story, somewhat disjointed, nonetheless includes several Parisian locations, as well as the poet himself, Aragon, a monkey ("a real monkey", the dreamer insists), one or more revolvers with which Desnos proposes to carry out a hit, and a mysterious Hôtel du Soleil [Sun Hotel]... "Oh, this is insane," the dreamer repeats, also protesting, "Wait, I'm not dreaming”. The aggressiveness that exists in Desnos, which will lead him try to kill Éluard during one of the last ‘sleeping fits’, is exhibited here in its raw state, even if it manifests only in an hypothetical attack. Following an apparent logic, the work continues with two drawings, one representing Crevel’s death (a monument), the other that of Vitrac - the evocation of real death being coupled here with a symbolic killing, since it appears it is a piece of excrement that is represented... First period of hypnotic sleeping fits. 27 October 1922: - 4 autograph pages in-4° in black pencil, in André Breton’s handwriting, transcribing Robert Desnos. "Don't be afraid, the bullets from my revolver pierce six brains, those of the assailants, the boss and his lady. "Open up, open up (shouted). This staircase never ends, I'm always afraid on my stairs. "It's just a lump of coal. Ah! It smells like burning. So, I wasn't dreaming.” - Two original black pencil drawings by Robert Desnos, the first one depicting a house called "Here lies Crevel" and titled on the back: "The Death of Crevel" (24 x 32 cm). The second is a small abstract drawing titled on the reverse by Breton: "The Death of Vitrac" (24 x 32 cm). Handwritten note by Breton stating "Friday 27 October". (Frayed margins).

Creation date	27-oct.-22
Date of publication	1922
Languages	French
Physical description	Ms et Ds - crayon noir
Library	Bibliothèque littéraire Jacques Doucet, Paris : BRT 161
Method of acquisition and collection	Bibliothèque littéraire Jacques Doucet, Paris, don Aube et Oona Elléouët
Reference	54000
Breton Auction, 2003	Lot 2026
Keywords	Graphic Arts, Dream, Automatic Writing
Categories	Manuscripts, Surrealists Manuscripts
Set	[Manuscripts] Sommeils
Permanent link	https://www.andrebreton.fr/en/work/56600100060810