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MAILLOL, ARISTIDE

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MAILLOL, ARISTIDE
(1861 - 1944) Important French sculptor, painter, designer and illustrator. Very rare and important A.L.S. ""Maillol"" 3pp. 8vo., Banyuals sur Mer, [n.d. but ca. 1899], in French to a gentleman asking him to assist the plight of Hungarian artist JOSEF RIPPL-RONNAI (1861-1927), who was stranded in France due to lack of funds during a war. In part: ""...When I needed your support, you answered my call...Now here is another situation. I think you are in the best position to help an artist in trouble, an artist you probably know since he exhibited in shows and shared glory in France with the Vuillards, Denis, Bonnard, Rousseau and me...Hungarian painter Rippl Ronnai...When he came back to his country before the declaration of war, he had come to Marly see me...After leaving me, they went to his wife's parents' home since they had no money to return...Now he is asked to go to Macon where he will await another destination. Their papers were taken, and they were forced to live in a hotel without money...They asked me to help them...I think that your name will be sufficient to help them..."". Answering the call, Maillol took Rippl-Ronnai and his wife in to protect them from deportation. In appreciation, Rippl-Ronnai painted a portrait of Maillol which is now considered one of his greatest works. Rippl-Ronnai went on to win the gold medal at the Exposition Universelle in 1900, returning, in 1901, to Hungary, where numerous exhibitions, largely due to Maillol's efforts, helped build his reputation. Boldly penned, very good.