Autograph letter in French from Claude Monet, whose signature has been excised from the last page, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.75 x 6.5, black-bordered Giverny par Vernon letterhead, February 16, 1914. Somber handwritten letter from the revered painter on the death of his eldest son, Jean Monet, who, just six days prior, passed at the age of 46 after a prolonged illness. Sent to his nephew, the writer Alice Vialatte, Monet discusses the grief shared with his daughter-in-law, Blanche Hoschede Monet, in part: “…a new and cruel trial for poor Blanche and for me. She doesn't want to leave me now, which will be a consolation to her and to me. She was admirable and full of courage and full of tender affection for the unfortunate man that I am.” In fine condition, with the signature neatly removed and no longer present.
Jean Monet (1867-1914) married Blanche in 1897. After his death, his widow settled permanently in Giverny, devoting herself to her father-in-law until the end. She was described as a blue angel for the artist by their friend Georges Clemenceau. Vialatte (1883-1957) and her husband, Raymond (1874-1960), were authors of numerous novels under the collective pseudonym of Pierre Alciette. Raymond's mother, Marie Raingo, was the younger sister of Alice Hoschede Monet (1844-1911), Claude Monet's wife, whose unexpected death also took a serious toll on the artist. Monet rarely discussed his deceased son within his correspondence.
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