Jongkind, Johan Barthold

Autograph letter signed, three pages (on two sheets - addressed and postmarked on the reverse of the second sheet) - housed in an elegant dark blue hardcover with the name of the painter in gold-colored letters on the spine of the cover and the title (in French) on the front, 5,25 x 8 inch, Rotterdam, 24.10.1858, in French, confidential letter to his merchant Martin* - Jongkind writes about his existence and the importance of his emotional state for his painting, written and signed dark ink "Jongkind", with intersecting letter folds, toning, and a few small areas of paper loss to the second sheet - in very good to good condition. 

Provenienz: Régine & Bernard Loliée Library (Exlibris - Sotheby's Sale, Paris, 22. Mai 2019). 

In parts:

"Mon bon Martin !

Suivant votre lettre du 14 octobre, il me revient encore cent francs, sur mon dernier tableau, je vous prie de me les envoyer par retour de poste. Vous m'obligerez beaucoup parce que j'ai eu beaucoup à payer.

   Comme je vous ai dit, j'ai eu de l'espoir de pouvoir vous envoyer aujourd'hui un tableau, mais jusqu'à présent je n'ai pas pu le terminer après mes idées. Mais quand il sera fait j'en serai heureux pour vous envoyer ce tableau.

   Depuis quelques jours, je me sens moins bien portant. Pour sûr cela produit une influence sur ma peinture et sur mon esprit de façon que je ne suis non plus toujours gai et de bon humeur. En attendant je me recommande à vous et près de vous dans la bonne souvenir de toutes mes bons amis [...]"

Translated:

"My good Martin!

According to your letter of October 14, I still have a hundred francs from my last painting, please send them to me by return post. You will obligate me a lot because I had to pay a lot.

   As I told you, I was hopeful that I could send you a painting today, but so far I have not been able to finish it after my ideas. But when it is done I will be happy to send you this painting.

   For the past few days, I have been feeling less well. Of course this has an influence on my painting and on my mind so that I am not always cheerful and in a good mood either. In the meantime I recommend myself to you and am close to you in the good memory of all my good friends [...]"

* Jongkind corresponded a lot with Martin, his merchant and confidante. At this time he was going through a difficult phase: he had left Paris to live in Holland, where he would lead a lonely existence until 1860. Martin, who bought almost all of his productions from him and sincerely wanted to help him, remained his only connection to France.