Raoul Dufy ANS Dated Less than 2 Weeks Before His Death

An autograph note in French inscribed and signed by Fauvist painter Raoul Dufy (1877-1953) as "Pour Mr Noel Goldblatt / avec les compliments / de Raoul Dufy / Paris 12 mars 1953" [trans: "For Mr Noel Goldblatt / with the compliments / of Raoul Dufy / Paris March 12 1953."] The autograph was written on a piece of cream paper that was later folded and affixed to a cardboard mount measuring 6.5" x 3.625" overall. Isolated minor wrinkling and discoloration caused by mounting and a few ink smears, else near fine.

Raoul Dufy addressed this autograph to Noel Goldblatt (ca. 1926-2003), an amateur autograph collector from Chicago, Illinois, less than two weeks before the former's death on March 23, 1953 of intestinal bleeding at the age of 75. It is believed that Dufy's death was indirectly caused by his long-term medical treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The artist had suffered from this condition since 1950, and it threatened his ability to hold a paintbrush. The tremulous handwriting on display in this autograph probably testified to Dufy's ongoing struggle to properly position a writing instrument.

Raoul Dufy, along with younger brother Jean Dufy, belonged to the Fauvist artistic movement of early-twentieth-century France. Raoul was a painter, print maker, illustrator, and muralist, and he also designed furniture, textiles, stationery, and stage scenery. Dufy's style is characterized by its bold shapes, bright colors, and its exuberant primitive aesthetic.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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