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  • Letter from Jacques Lipchitz to Pierre Dubaut

Jacques Lipchitz, recipient: Pierre-Olivier Dubaut

Letter from Jacques Lipchitz to Pierre Dubaut

22 July 1950

Page 1

Created by
Jacques Lipchitz 1891–1973
Recipient
Pierre-Olivier Dubaut 1886 – 1968
Date
22 July 1950
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Created by
Jacques Lipchitz 1891–1973
Recipient
Pierre-Olivier Dubaut 1886 – 1968
Title
Letter from Jacques Lipchitz to Pierre Dubaut
Date
22 July 1950
Format
Document - correspondence
Collection
Tate Archive
Acquisition
Presented to Tate Archive by Rubin Lipchitz, March 1989; the cataloguing and selective digitisation of this archive collection was supported by Mr Timm Bergold, 2023
Reference
TGA 897/1/1/142/58

Description

Full text in translation:

'My dear friend,
It is extraordinary what a day of rest can do to our nerves. Until now and until 'Pegase' was completed, I couldn't enjoy my Sundays, so I was eager to start again on my work. It's currently having its mould made and I can already see a date when I will be able to go away and take my girl fishing. We are in May and I still have a lot to do before this can happen. First, finishing the cast of Pegase so that I can give it to the foundry and finishing three important Bronzes that need to be in an exhibition touring the West from September. But that's not work, I have no doubts in my minds.
I was pleased with your letter; you seemed to be in great shape now which makes everything sing in unison. The study for 'La Meduse' must be famous. I'm impatiently waiting for my promised photograph.
For myself, as well as this letter I'm sending you a simple [illegible word] by post, from a painting made by our friend Pach, it's wonderful. He thinks that it's a Van Gogh from his first Parisian period. It's possible, I'm not so familiar with his works from that period. In any case it is incredibly well painted. Could you please examine this photograph, oh I know it's difficult, but please also show this photograph around and let me know what everyone thinks. I would really like to do this for Pach who went to great lengths for you.
30th of July
I thought I would be able to finish my letter the following day, but I had a visit and as you can see, I wasn't able to finish it this week, surely, this shows you how busy I've been. Despite all this, I didn't manage to finish all I had to do, and I must postpone our holidays for another week. Even after the holidays, I will need to come back to the foundry to retouch the wax for 'Pegase'. Working with sculptures is beautiful but what a long and laborious job it is, so out of touch with our generation that is moving so fast. So, dizzying.
The painting that you are making of your house, I must say, is attractive, probably less for you.
Actually, can you tell me how travelling to Spain influenced the paintings and sculptures of your nephew? Did it have a profound impact on him? How does a young person like him develop himself? It's so important for us to know, after all, they will be the ones replacing us. What do he and his friends like? I hope they are not into the New Realists. Tell me about this and more, I hope.
A good handshake from your dear Lipchitz. '

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Archive context

  • Personal and professional papers of Jacques Lipchitz TGA 897 (451)
    • Correspondence TGA 897/1 (212)
      • Correspondence to and from Jacques Lipchitz TGA 897/1/1 (183)
        • Correspondence between Pierre Dubaut and Jacques Lipchitz TGA 897/1/1/142 (40)
          • Letter from Jacques Lipchitz to Pierre Dubaut TGA 897/1/1/142/58
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