Henri Fantin-Latour ALS: "I am well disposed to authorize you to photograph my painting for the museum…"

A 1p autograph letter in French inscribed overall and signed by Realist painter Henri Fantin-Latour (1836-1904) as "h. Fantin-Latour" at lower right. Written at 3, rue de Beaux-Arts in Paris, France on January 18, 1902 on a cream-colored stock card measuring 5.375" x 3.625." A few mounting traces verso, else near fine. Accompanied by an image of Henri Fantin-Latour's "Portrait of Edouard Manet" (1867) mounted on an orange stock card. Provenance: Ex-Noel Goldblatt (ca. 1926-2003) of the famous Goldblatt's Department Store, to a prominent Los Angeles, California collector.

Henri Fantin-Latour wrote an unidentified recipient, translated in part: "I am well disposed to authorize you to photograph my painting for the Troyes [?] Museum but I believe that you must also obtain the authorization of Monsieur Paul Meurice, who commissioned it of me…"

Henri Fantin-Latour is best known for his still life paintings of flowers, though his portraits of contemporary artists and friends like Edouard Manet are also famous. Paul Meurice (1818-1905) was a French literary editor and novelist. A close friend of Victor Hugo, Meurice later became Hugo's literary executor. Fantin-Latour attended social gatherings at Paul Meurice's home; it is possible that an artistic commission developed from this friendship.

Troyes (if indeed that is what Fantin-Latour has written here) is located in northeastern France.

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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