A letter from Eugène Giraud, written during a trip, enriched with a large blue ink drawing occupying an entire page, depicting a young girl before a rock, whom one might imagine to be "the Saint on the Rock," Bernadette Soubirous at the grotto of Massabielle.
"My dear Coulon,
Your letter gave me great pleasure; I was very happy to add to my collection. Every morning and every evening I look at my souvenirs of Paris; it is there that I recognize that the photographer has precedence over…
Read moreLetter from Eugène Giraud, written during a trip, enriched with an important drawing in blue ink occupying an entire page, representing a young girl in front of a rock, which one can imagine to be "the Saint at the rock", Bernadette Soubirous at the grotto of Massabielle.
"My dear Coulon,
Your letter gave me great pleasure; I was very happy to add to my collection. Every morning and evening I look at my Parisian souvenirs, and that's where I realize the photographer has surpassed the painter. It would be impossible for me to give you the same pleasure; moreover, I can't provide you with familiar faces—everything has changed; it's not the same world anymore. The clergy are increasingly numerous [perhaps they are at Lourdes?], we even have monks here a little longer, and I haven't given up hope of seeing the Pope, though I don't think I can wait for him. I see we only have a few days left, and off we go. Will the train journey seem easy? If we hadn't dug a bit, it would have been a long way. I almost bought a vulture to have the master of the house fly it, but I did as I did with the bilboquet; I'll buy it next year. Please be kind enough to tell my wife that we are still doing well, that we are waiting for Father Pidoux to throw us out and leave us in the plain. Until that happiness arrives, I embrace you all: father, mother, children, brothers, and grandfather. With love, E. Guiraud
He draws a full-page illustration of a young girl in traditional costume (dark headscarf, long dress, hands clasped) in front of a rock, in a mountain landscape, and continues on the back:
"How funny, I wanted to give you some examples of water features, and without meaning to, I made a bit of a mess with my pen. Please forgive me; man isn't perfect. He goes to the right and ends up on the left. I think Victor [his son, the painter Victor Giraud (1840-1871)] won't be like that when he takes the road back. We could blindfold him and he wouldn't get lost. He asks me not to forget him with everyone in the house. See you soon, and once again, with all my heart, E. Giraud."
ReduceSmall stamps from the "MAM" collection of art historian Marie-Madeleine Aubrun (1924-1998).
