MONET CLAUDE: (1840-1926) French Impressionist painter. A.L.S., Claude Monet, three pages, 8vo, Giverny par Vernon, 30^th January 1911, to Gustave Geffroy (‘Cher ami’), in French. Monet thanks Geffroy for their news and continues to provide his own better news about ‘ ma pauvre malade’ (Translation: ‘my poor patient’), explaining that there are days ‘qu'elle n'a pas en de nouvelles crises ce qui nous semble merveilleux et ce serait en effet si si cela pouvait continuer ainsi, elle est toujours d'une grande faiblesse’ (Translation: ‘that she does not have any new attacks which seems wonderful to us, and it would indeed be so if it could continue like this, but she is still very weak’), although adding that she has little appetite for food and that he dare not get too optimistic as whenever she begins to feel better there is usually another setback with her liver, and remarking ‘elle est si fragile a present ci qui fait que je n'est a la quitter meme une heure’ (Translation: ‘she is so fragile now that I won’t leave her for even an hour’). Monet concludes by stating that he would be very happy to see Geffroy again and in a postscript notes ‘Pour l'assurance completez 15,000 pour toiles’ (Translation: ‘For insurance complete 15,000 for canvasses’). Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Monet. A few creases to the lower edges and one light stain to a corner, otherwise about VG

Gustave Geffroy (1855-1926) French journalist, art critic and historian, a friend and champion of Monet.

Alice Hoschede (1844-1911) Second wife of Monet, and previously the wife of the art collector Ernest Hoschede.

Alice’s death, a few months after the present letter, on 19^th May 1911, deeply affected Monet and on the night of her death he wrote a letter to Geffroy which read ‘My poor friend, it’s over. My beloved companion died this morning at 4:00. I’m distraught, lost. Your friend, Claude Monet’.