Dubuffet, Jean. (1901-1985)
Collection of Autograph Letters
An interesting collection of letters from the influential French artist whose idealistic approach to aesthetics embraced so called "Art Brut" ("Raw Art" or "Low Art") and eschewed traditional standards of beauty in favor of what he believed to be a more authentic and humanistic approach to image-making. From the collection of Patrick J. Eddington, a Salt Lake City artist and high school art teacher who maintained a correspondence with many 20th-century artists. The 6 autograph and typed letters, dated 1978 to 1984, represent a warm correspondence: Dubuffet thanks Eddington for the honor of having the high school art exhibition dedicated to him, gladly offers signed books as prizes, and accepts pictures of the Thunder Mountain Monument in Nevada to send on to the Art Brut Collection, as well as reporting the news on his court case against Renault in 1981. Full translations below. 2 ALS, one in large bold writing, and 4 TLS on Dubuffet's letterhead. Each with original airmail envelope, with one additional envelope. Overall in very fine condition. Each 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 28 cm.)ALS; Paris, November 20, 1978.
Dear Patrick Eddington,
Thank you for the letter and for the drawing, and for the eagle feather, which was very touching. I send my greetings to your coyote and all the coyotes and the antelopes of the mountain, and to your young students, who have done me a great honor by dedicating their annual exhibition to me. Your big drawing is very mysterious and very beautiful. I will send it to Lausanne to be a part of the documentation of the Art Brut Collection.
Wind, fire, and joy to Salt Lake City. I wonder if you are Mormon.
I am sending you a proof of a silkscreen print which I have just signed as "passed for print."
Yours, Jean Dubuffet
TLS; Paris, March 12, 1980
Dear Mr. Patrick Eddington,
I am very touched to learn that the students of your university are dedicating their exhibition to me again this year. I thank them and greet them.
I will be glad to inscribe copies of one of my books to the students to whom the prizes are given. Could you please send me the books and and the names (written legibly). You do not have to pay for the return post; I will cover that cost.
Yours [...], Jean Dubuffet.
TLS; Paris, April 30, 1981
Dear Mr. Eddington,
I am very glad that you like the prints. I do not want any payment for them. These images are linked to my series L'Hourloupe, following which in 1974, as you know, my works took on a different view. I am currently working on some paintings which I have named "Psycho-sites."
The construction of the "Salon d'été," having been half completed, was interrupted in 1975 by the decision of the new president of the Régie Renault, who had everything that had been made destroyed. A trial followed; it has not yet reached a conclusion, because the decision of the tribunal in the first instance in 1977, and the following year by the Cour d'appel in Paris, both in favor of the Régie, were overturned in 1980 by the Cour de cassation. This court has sent the case before the Cour d'appel of Versailles, which will argue it next June.
Yours, Jean Dubuffet
ALS in bold black marker; Paris, January 2, 1982
Jean Dubuffet wishes a Happy New Year to Patrick Eddington and the students of the Salt Lake City School District.
TLS; Paris, March 5, 1984.
Dear Mr. Patrick Eddington,
Look, my tree in Salt Lake City, for the fifth year, is bursting into bloom. Bravo! I am sending you four signed posters and also some exhibition catalogues. If you don't have it already, you can get the book about my work edited by Abrams at a bookstore. And of course I don't want you to send any money.
Thank you for the information about the sculptures by Chief Rolling Thunder. I would be happy to see a photograph of it. I will see if they will be of interest to the Art Brut Collection (which now carries on its activities in Lausanne.)
Yours, Jean Dubuffet
TLS; Paris, April 17, 1984.
Dear Mr. Eddington,
Thank you very much for the three photographs of the monumental site erected by Chief Rolling Thunders [sic]. It seems like a very impressive achievement. I will send these documents to M. Michel Thévoz, the administrator of the Art Brut Collection in Lausanne.
Regarding your letter, it seems that the garden called "Gilgal" in Salt Lake City must also be very interesting.
Yours, Jean Dubuffet (14753)
Autograph Letter Art & Design