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Letter dated 16 January 1947

Correspondence

Author

Author Marcel Duchamp
Letter to Elisa Claro Breton, André Breton
Person cited Frederick John Kiesler

Description

Letter from Marcel Duchamp addressed to André and Elisa Breton dated 16 January 1947 about the exhibition planned for July at the Galerie Maeght.

Seven letters from Marcel Duchamp to André Breton, all of them relating to the preparation for the exhibition Le surréalisme en 1947 at the Galerie Maeght in Paris, are evidence of the work and endless resources of this co-organiser, who brought together the entire network of surrealist friends from the other side of the Atlantic, from Miró to Max Ernst via Granell (whom he has yet to meet) and many others. In this way the 1947 exhibition at the Galerie Maeght turned out to be the result of genuine teamwork, as much in terms of organisation as in its creation: Duchamp discusses issues with Kiesler and sends his suggestions to André Breton, offering all of his creativity for the elaboration of the rooms and the altars without ever dismissing an idea or imposing a decision. [Atelier André Breton website, 2005]

An exceptional collection of 7 handwritten letters signed by Marcel Duchamp to André Breton, all of them relating to the preparation for the exhibition Le surréalisme en 1947 at the Galerie Maeght in Paris.

 

Letter dated 16 January 1947.
- 2 in-12 pages in ink by Duchamp of a letter dated 16 January 1947 on the headed notepaper of the ‘United States Lines’ (plus the envelope):

‘Couldn’t you use Kiesler’s idea: the mesh from the cover of VVV in one of the altars. The mesh could be set at eye level and, as you know, the movement of the hands resembles a gesture of prayer.’ [Auction catalogue, 2003]

Creation date16/01/1947
Postmarked date23/01/1947
Destination address
LanguagesFrench
Physical description

2 pages in-12

Ms - encre bleue sur papier à en-tête de « United States Lines ». Enveloppe conservée.

From / ProvenanceNew York
Place of origin
Library

Bibliothèque Kandinsky, Centre Pompidou, Paris : BRET 1.8

Number of pages2 p.
Reference742000
Breton Auction, 2003Lot 2282
Keywords, , ,
CategoriesLetters to André Breton
Set[Correspondance] Lettres de Marcel Duchamp à André Breton, [Exhibitions] 1947, Exposition Maeght 1947
Exhibition1947, Le Surréalisme en 1947
Permanent linkhttps://www.andrebreton.fr/en/work/56600100738560
Place of origin
Place of destination
Exhibition place