MARCEL DUCHAMP (1887-1968) CARTE-LETTRE AUTOGRAPHE... Lot n° 44

MARCEL DUCHAMP (1887-1968) AUTOGRAPHIC CARD-LETTER SIGNED, to Charles ESTIENNE, dated Paris 18 Nov. 1954, 1 page in-12 oblong (ink stains), autograph envelope with Duchamp's address. Very important letter, entirely dedicated to Picabia, who died the year before. It is addressed to the Breton art critic and poet Charles Estienne, who had defended Picabia's art (Hommage à Picabia, Galerie Craven, 1952) and who will play an important role in supporting surrealist and contemporary painting. Duchamp pays a magnificent tribute to his late friend: Many people answer with "yes" but with Francis it was always "no" because the incessant finding of each moment, a multi-faceted explosion that cut short any argument. Francis also had a gift of total oblivion which allowed him to attack the new painting without the memory-influence of the previous ones. A constantly renewed freshness that makes him a 'more-than-painter'. AUTOGRAPH LETTER-CARD to Charles ESTIENNE, SIGNED and dated 18 November 1954, Paris, 1pp. ink blots, 12mo oblong, with autograph envelope with the address of Duchamp. A very important letter, entirely dedicated to Picabia, who died the year before. It is addressed to the Breton art critic and poet Charles Estienne, who had defended Picabia's art (Hommage à Picabia, Galerie Craven, 1952) and who would play an important role in supporting surrealist and contemporary painting. Duchamp pays a magnificent tribute to his late friend: 'Many people answer with "oui" but with Francis it was always "non" because the incessant finding of each moment, a multi-faceted explosion that cut short any argument. Francis also had a gift of total oblivion which allowed him to attack the new painting without the memory-influence of the previous ones. A constantly renewed freshness that made him a 'plus-que-peintre'. Footnotes: Provenance Private collection, France. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com