Ivan Turgenev
London, England, May 17, 1871
Turgenev ALS From Exile, With Great Literary & Political Content: "I almost never work anymore. - I am at the end of my rope? Are these the convulsions of death agony - or those that accompany birth?"
ALS

A 4pp autograph letter in French signed by Russian writer Ivan Turgenev (1818-1883) as "I. Tourgu?neff" at the bottom of the fourth page. May 17, 1871. Written from 16, Beaumont Street, Marylebone, London, England. On laid watermarked bifold pale blue stationery. Numbered "III," "4," and "10" along the top edge of the first page. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds. Else near fine. 4.5" x 7." Provenance: Ex-Christie's. Comes with a full French transcript, a full Russian translation, and a full English translation.

Turgenev wrote this letter to his close friend Princess Anna Andreevna Trubetskaya n?e Gudovich (1818-1882), a Russian expatriate who lived at the Ch?teau de Bellefontaine near Fontainebleau (a suburb of Paris, France) along with her husband, the Russian writer Nikolay Ivanovich Trubetskoy (1807-1874). The Princess was a friend of Leo Tolstoy's as well as Turgenev's.

In the letter, Turgenev confides that he has not really written anything since the publication of his last short story, ?Stepnoy Korol Lir? (English titles: "A Lear of the Steppes" or "King Lear of the Steppes") in 1870. Turgenev adapted the characters and themes of William Shakespeare's play "King Lear" to a Russian setting and Russian sensibilities. The short story revolves around a man named Martin Petrovich Kharlov who discovers the wrongdoing of his two unfilial daughters, Anna Petrovna and Evlampia Martinova, and punishes them. Turgenev is satisfied that both the Princess and the public appear to like "A Lear of the Steppes." This is good, since Turgenev writes despondently: "I almost never work anymore. - I am at the end of my rope."

Turgenev's writer's block may have been caused by anxiety over ongoing political events. He describes the past "horrible year," alluding to both the events of the Franco-Prussian War, and the bloody takeover of Paris by a revolutionary government, known as the Paris Commune. Turgenev had fled Baden Baden in December 1870 along with his lover Pauline Viardot's family, hoping to avoid the first conflict. They would remain in England as refugees until July 1871, two months after the Franco-Prussian War ended in a French defeat on May 10, 1871; and two months after the Paris Commune was suppressed on May 28, 1871. Turgenev writes in part: "We continue to observe with stupor what happens in France - without being able to feel real sympathy, either for Versailles, or for Paris. - Are these the convulsions of death agony - or those that accompany birth? - It is the future who will teach us?"

Important historical individuals who Turgenev refers to the letter include the family members of Pauline Viardot (1821-1910), the celebrated French opera singer, and Turgenev's longtime lover; as well as three of her four children with French writer Louis Viardot: Paul Viardot (1857-1941), Marianne Viardot (1854-1919), and Claudie Viardot (1852-1914). Turgenev also refers to the Princess's daughter, Princess Yekaterina Orlova (1840-1875); and to her son-in-law, the Russian diplomat Prince Nikolay Orlov (1827-1885).

Translated in full:

"London.
16, Beaumont Street Marylebone.

17 May 1871.

Dear princess,

Appearances are against me - and more than just appearances - it is evident that I should have written you a very long time ago - also I am not going to try to excuse myself - I will restrict myself to telling you that all the times I thought of you and yours, it was never without a movement of warm and friendly sympathy. The V. [Viardot] Family completely shares this sympathy and tasks me to tell you the most tender things.

[end of page 1]

The sight of your handwriting positively rejoices my heart. I was so happy to learn that they left you at peace at Bellefontaine during all of this horrible year and that you have been able to continue to enjoy your 'horizon.' The misfortune that just struck princess Orloff is hard but repairable - and since there are sons, there will be daughters - without any doubt. [It is possible that Princess Orlova suffered a miscarriage or delivered a daughter instead of a hoped-for son.] - Don't forget to recall me to her memory, and that of the prince, please, when you write to her.

Mme. V. [Pauline Viardot] has received all of the testimonies of affection and recollection since the publication of the end of the short story [or possibly news] in question - and she is quite moved. Your memory is quite dear to her; she

[end of page 2]

tells me to thank you warmly and she will write you herself.

She is good; she unfortunately caught a catarrh in November and was never able to get rid of it entirely, which has really hurt her by preventing her to sing often. The children are well also, as well as V [Viardot]. Claudie makes immense progress - she finally found a good master - a M. Langei, a French refugee, a painter of real talent and the best of men. Marianne begins to sing in a charming manner - and Paul is also making steps forward. - There are very agreeable musical evenings every Saturday. We are going to stay here until August - then we are going to Baden Baden for several weeks and then - by the grace of God! Probably we will return to London. I will do as they do. -

[end of page 3]

I am happy to learn that King Lear pleased you; - I almost never work anymore. - I am at the end of my rope. -

We continue to observe with stupor what happens in France - without being able to feel real sympathy, either for Versailles, or for Paris. - Are these the convulsions of death agony - or those that accompany birth? - It is the future who will teach us.

I duly promise never to pass through Paris from now on without seeing you? but when will I pass through Paris? - I was counting on visiting in the month of May - to see my daughter - but now?! -

A thousand best wishes to the prince, to Marianne, to all Bellefontaine; I shake your hands with all the strength of my friendship.

I. Tourg?neff."

[end of page 4]

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4.5" x 7"
Provenance: Ex-Christie's, 1 December 2021, lot 203.