MONDRIAN PIET: (1872-1944) Dutch painter, a pioneer of 20^th century abstract art. A ...

MONDRIAN PIET: (1872-1944) Dutch painter, a pioneer of 20^th century abstract art. A rare A.L.S., P. Mondrian, two pages, 8vo, n.p., 2^nd March 1926, to [Felix] Del Marle, in French. Mondrian thanks his correspondent for their letter which he had received that morning, continuing 'J'avais hier fini mon article que j'ai fais apres votre depart, inspire par ce que nous avions cause et surtout par ce que vous et Madame m'avaient dit a propos de mon atelier' (Translation: 'Yesterday I had finished my article which I wrote after your departure, inspired by what we had discussed and especially by what you and Madame had told me about my studio'), asking for his French to be corrected if necessary ('Ce n'est pas necessaire que ce soit beau francais (au contraire!) mais il faut que ce soit correct'; Translation: 'It doesn't have to be beautiful French (on the contrary!) but it has to be correct'), forwarding two photographs (no longer present), explaining that one has not been previously published and commenting 'Il me semble ce que ce sera tres bien si vous pouriez faire un cliche sur linoleum ou bois; j'ai vu que vous les faites. Un pareil grand cliche sur zinc de deviendra egalement trop cher et moins beau' (Translation: 'It seems to me that it will be very good if you could make a plate on linoleum or wood; I have seen you do them. Such a large plate on zinc will also become too expensive and less beautiful') before concluding 'Il m'interesserai ce que vous dites de mon article; je crois il peut etre utile au mouvement' (Translation: 'I'll be interested in what you say about my article; I believe it can be useful for the movement'). A letter of good association. VG

Felix Del Marle (1889-1952) French Futurist painter and artistic director of the avant-garde magazine Vouloir.