Cahun, Claude. (1894–1954) [Desnos, Robert. (1900–1945)]
Autograph Postcard to Robert Desnos
A very rare autograph postcard from the French artist, photographer and writer, to Surrealist poet Robert Desnos. Dated Wednesday, April 29, together with an envelope postmarked November 15, 1932 addressed to Desnos in another hand, but in which he had apparently stored the present card. On a postcard with an image of lilies, Cahun writes to thank her friends for the gift of flowers. Toning; overall fine. 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14 x 9.2 cm).Translated from the French: "Dear friends, the flowers which you brought to us are still fresh and blooming today. Before going to sleep the other morning, we discovered their strange perfume, which brought us back to the countryside. The petals do not say on them 'When this you see, remember me,' but still I think very fondly of you. Claude."
The French artist, photographer and writer Claude Cahun was born Lucy Schwob to an intellectual French Jewish family. Around 1919, she changed her name to Claude Cahun. During the early 1920s, she settled in Paris with her lifelong partner and step-sibling Suzanne Malherbe, who adopted the only slightly less equivocal pseudonym "Marcel Moore". For the rest of their lives together, Cahun and Malherbe collaborated on various written works, sculptures, photomontages and collages. The two published articles and novels, notably in the periodical "Mercure de France", and befriended Henri Michaux, Pierre Morhange and Robert Desnos. From 1937 on, the couple lived in Jersey, where they were active in the Resistance movement. Cahun's work was both political and personal, and often undermined traditional concepts of gender roles. (15370)
Autograph Letter Art & Design