The Courtauld acquires rare Gauguin manuscript entitled 'Avant et après'
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Thursday, November 7, 2024


The Courtauld acquires rare Gauguin manuscript entitled 'Avant et après'
The manuscript of ‘Avant et après’ by Paul Gauguin © The Courtauld.



LONDON.- The Courtauld has acquired one of the most significant artist manuscripts ever to enter a UK public collection - a unique and richly illustrated text by the highly influential French Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. Part-memoir and part-manifesto, the 213-page manuscript, titled Avant et après (Before and after) reveals important insights into Gauguin's life, relationships and thoughts, and includes numerous drawings and prints by the artist.

Offered to The Courtauld as part of the Government's Acceptance in Lieu scheme administered by the Arts Council, Avant et après is the last major manuscript by Gauguin in the world outside a public collection, and now the only example in the UK. It was written in 1903, the year of the artist's death, at his home on the Marquesas island of Hiva Ova, French Polynesia. It has never been exhibited publicly and remains unstudied by scholars in its original form. Avant et après is an important addition to what is already the most significant collection of works by Gauguin in the UK - joining amongst other works the masterpieces from his Tahitian period, Nevermore and Te Rerioa - and further strengthens The Courtauld's resources for Gauguin scholarship.

The manuscript will be displayed alongside Gauguin's paintings and sculpture in The Courtauld Gallery's Great Room when it reopens in 2021 following a major transformation project. By late 2020, it will be available to view and study as a scroll-through document online, accompanied by a revised transcription and new English translation that remains as close to the original French as possible with an honest and unfiltered representation of Gauguin's language that will aid research on the artist and his legacy. A special Courtauld Research Forum online event 'Rethinking Gauguin' on 1 October will also open up the conversation around Gauguin's legacy and the opportunities that can arise from examining the manuscript.




Although Gauguin declared that in writing Avant et après, 'I have no other aim than to amuse myself', he sent the manuscript to the poet and critic André Fontainas hoping that it would be published. In fact, it was first published as a facsimile edition in 1918. In addition to anecdotes about his friendships and opinions on the work of leading contemporary artists such as Degas, Pissarro, Signac and Cézanne, one of the key sections reflects on the brief yet tumultuous period that Gauguin stayed with Vincent van Gogh in Arles. Gauguin describes the incident in which Van Gogh severed his own ear after a violent quarrel with his fellow artist, a passage that was long regarded as the primary source of information about that fateful and infamous event.

The manuscript is studded with examples of Gauguin's opinions on literary figures and caustic comments on those art critics who did not understand (or appreciate) the modernity of his art. Gauguin's hatred of hypocrisy and bourgeois morality is a constant theme. The text also includes excoriating attacks on the French colonial and church authorities in Polynesia, alongside examples of his own exoticist racial stereotyping.

Ernst Vegelin van Claerbergen, Head of The Courtauld Gallery, said: “Having been lost from view for almost a century, the re-emergence of the original manuscript for Avant et après is a sensational event. Richly illustrated with drawings and prints, the odds were stacked against it surviving intact. Although he was one of the most influential artists of the 19th century, Gauguin is also a highly controversial figure. We will now ensure that this important manuscript is fully researched and made widely available as part of the reappraisal of Gauguin's debated legacy. It has found a fitting place in The Courtauld's pre-eminent collection of the artist's work. We are extremely grateful to the Acceptance in Lieu Panel, to the owner and to Sotheby's Tax, Heritage and UK Museums Team for bringing about this remarkable acquisition. ”

Ketty Gottardo, Martin Halusa Curator of Drawings, said: “It is a privilege to be entrusted with the care of Gauguin's last manuscript, In secula seculorum (forever and ever), following the words the artist wrote on its cover which prove his profound wish for this work to live in eternity. Besides working towards a revised English translation, we will also work to unveil some of the drawings and tracings currently hidden at the back of the monotypes pasted down on the album. This will help understanding Gauguin's artistic process and the use of basic material which he had at his disposal in the Marquesas.”

Edward Harley, OBE, Chairman, Acceptance in Lieu Panel, said: “I am delighted that this important manuscript in Gauguin's hand containing many original sketches and drawings has been allocated to The Courtauld Gallery through the Acceptance in Lieu scheme. Avant et après, written shortly before Gauguin's death, is richly illustrated and is the last major manuscript of Gauguin's written works to be held in private hands. I hope this example will encourage others to use the scheme to make art and culture accessible by enriching our national collections.”










Today's News

September 23, 2020

At the Manifesta Biennial, a French city's tough realities go on show

Lempicka, Dalí and Nolde to highlight Christie's October Evening Sale

Sensational collection of antique shooting gallery targets to be auctioned by Soulis Auctions

The Courtauld acquires rare Gauguin manuscript entitled 'Avant et après'

Sotheby's and Planned Parenthood of Greater New York present 'Choice Works': Online Benefit Auction

Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and Harvard Art Museums announce joint acquisition of artist's pigments

Xavier Hufkens announces representation of Huma Bhabha

Paula Cooper Gallery opens an exhibition of work by Lynda Benglis, Eric N. Mack, and Kelley Walker

Christie's to offer Dolly Parton's Swarovski crystal-studded dulcimer

In Berlin, the art world spreads out to stay safe

TEFAF introduces a new digital platform: TEFAF Online

Sotheby's drops first ever sale of ultra-rare artist-designed Nike Sneakers

Magazzino appoints 2020-21 Scholar-in-Residence and launches open call for 2021-22 applications

Phillips announces exclusive partnership with NOMAD

Christie's announces Post-War and Contemporary Day Sale highlights

One musician's plan to make the concert industry more diverse

Jane Lombard Gallery opens a window installation by James Clar

Centerbowl, porcelain vases lead Curated Home Auction above $1.4 million

500 Gallery introduces an industry first: Lot views 'in the round' via YouTube

V&A and HTC VIVE Arts announce VR event to celebrate 'Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser'

Bryan Fonseca, independent voice in Indianapolis theater, dies at 65

A $10,000 bill sets $384,000 world record at Heritage Auctions

Benjamin Langford prompts a closer look at our roots

Miwon Kwon joins Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts Board of Directors

Why Art Is The Greatest Hobby

7 Tees for Any Budget and Every Occasion

How Long Does Drug Rehab Treatment Take

Home Renovation 101: A Property Owner's Guide Cut Costs on a Home Remodel Project

Helping An Alcoholic Out Of An Addiction




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Holistic Dentist
Abogado de accidentes
สล็อต
สล็อตเว็บตรง

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful