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Description

Letter from Marcel Duchamp addressed to André and Elisa Breton and dated 15 March 1947 about preparations for the exhibition planned for July at the Galerie Maeght.

Seven letters from Marcel Duchamp to André Breton, all related to the preparation of the exhibition Le Surréalisme en 1947 at the Galerie Maeght in Paris, which attest to the inexhaustible resources of this co-organiser and the amount of work he did in federating the entire network of surrealist friends on the other side of the Atlantic - from Miró to Max Ernst through Granell (whom he does not yet know) and many others. The 1947 exhibition at the Galerie Maeght was the result of a genuine team effort, both in the terms of organisation and creation: Duchamp discussed it with Kiesler before sending his suggestions to André Breton, giving all of his creativity to the way the rooms and altars might be organised without ever fixing an idea or imposing a determination. [Atelier André Breton website, 2005]

Exceptional set of 7 handwritten letters signed by Marcel Duchamp and sent to André Breton, all related to the preparation of the exhibition Le Surréalisme en 1947 at the Galerie Maeght in Paris.

Letter, dated 15 March 1947.
- 2 in-4 pages in ink from Duchamp of a letter dated 15 March 1947 (envelope retained) :

‘I’ve not corresponded much with Man Ray but I believe he sent you photos directly if not lithos. I propose to call it ‘room of superstition’ instead of ‘room of superstitions’ so we won't be criticised for forgetting some of the best. Kiesler and myself are very active. Kiesler has already drawn up the outline of this room, most things will be easy to send or find in Paris.’ [sale catalogue, 2003]

*This entry was translated from the French by Michael Richardson

Creation date15/03/1947
Postmarked date15/03/1947
Destination address
Physical description

2 pages in-4°

Place of origin
Library

Bibliothèque Kandinsky, Centre Pompidou, Paris : BRET 1.8

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/56600100999950
Place of origin
Place of destination
Exhibition place