GIACOMETTI ALBERTO: (1901-1966)
GIACOMETTI ALBERTO: (1901-1966) Swiss sculptor. A fine A.L.S., Alberto Giacometti, two pages (written to the first and third sides of the bifolium), 8vo, Stampa (Graubünden, Switzerland), 23rd January 1956, to Marc Barbezat, in French. The sculptor thanks his correspondent for having sent him a copy of Notre-Dame des Fleurs, which he looks forward to finding on his return to Paris, and also for the text of Le Balcon, remarking ´Je suis très impatient de le lire, ce que je ferai dès mon retour. Quand j’aurai lu le texte je verrai ce que je peux faire´ (Translation: ´I am very keen to read it, which I shall do as soon as I return. Once I have read the text, I shall see what I can do´) and further adding ´Je serai à Paris les premiers jours de février, le 4 ou le 5 et je serai très content de vous voir à ce moment-là pour parler de notre projet. J’espère que Jean Genet sera à Paris aussi´ (Translation: ´I shall be in Paris in the first few days of February, on the 4th or the 5th, and I shall be very pleased to see you then to discuss our project. I hope that Jean Genet will be in Paris as well´). Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Giacometti. A letter of good content and association. VG
Marc Barbezat (1913–1999) French publisher, pharmacist and entrepreneur, best remembered as the founder of the literary review and publishing house L'Arbalète, and above all as Jean Genet's first important publisher and champion. Barbezat and his future wife, the actress Olga Kechelievitch, encountered Genet's work in 1943, when Genet was still largely unknown and was in prison. Olga obtained a copy of Le Condamné à mort, and Barbezat contacted Genet about publishing it. This began a remarkable relationship between the two men which lasted, with interruptions, for decades.
Jean Genet (1910-1986) French novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and political activist.
The ´project´ referred to by Giacometti in the present letter is his proposed contribution to Genet's Le Balcon. Following the publication of Genet's play by Barbezat's L'Arbalète in June 1956, Giacometti provided an original lithograph for the book's wrappers, printed by Mourlot in Paris. His involvement had evidently been discussed with Barbezat before publication, and the present letter, written in January 1956, is particularly interesting in recording Giacometti's intention to read the text before determining what he could contribute. The resulting cover, incorporating Giacometti's characteristic attenuated figures, became an integral and celebrated element of the first edition.
GIACOMETTI ALBERTO: (1901-1966) Swiss sculptor. A fine A.L.S., Alberto Giacometti, two pages (written to the first and third sides of the bifolium), 8vo, Stampa (Graubünden, Switzerland), 23rd January 1956, to Marc Barbezat, in French. The sculptor thanks his correspondent for having sent him a copy of Notre-Dame des Fleurs, which he looks forward to finding on his return to Paris, and also for the text of Le Balcon, remarking ´Je suis très impatient de le lire, ce que je ferai dès mon retour. Quand j’aurai lu le texte je verrai ce que je peux faire´ (Translation: ´I am very keen to read it, which I shall do as soon as I return. Once I have read the text, I shall see what I can do´) and further adding ´Je serai à Paris les premiers jours de février, le 4 ou le 5 et je serai très content de vous voir à ce moment-là pour parler de notre projet. J’espère que Jean Genet sera à Paris aussi´ (Translation: ´I shall be in Paris in the first few days of February, on the 4th or the 5th, and I shall be very pleased to see you then to discuss our project. I hope that Jean Genet will be in Paris as well´). Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Giacometti. A letter of good content and association. VG
Marc Barbezat (1913–1999) French publisher, pharmacist and entrepreneur, best remembered as the founder of the literary review and publishing house L'Arbalète, and above all as Jean Genet's first important publisher and champion. Barbezat and his future wife, the actress Olga Kechelievitch, encountered Genet's work in 1943, when Genet was still largely unknown and was in prison. Olga obtained a copy of Le Condamné à mort, and Barbezat contacted Genet about publishing it. This began a remarkable relationship between the two men which lasted, with interruptions, for decades.
Jean Genet (1910-1986) French novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and political activist.
The ´project´ referred to by Giacometti in the present letter is his proposed contribution to Genet's Le Balcon. Following the publication of Genet's play by Barbezat's L'Arbalète in June 1956, Giacometti provided an original lithograph for the book's wrappers, printed by Mourlot in Paris. His involvement had evidently been discussed with Barbezat before publication, and the present letter, written in January 1956, is particularly interesting in recording Giacometti's intention to read the text before determining what he could contribute. The resulting cover, incorporating Giacometti's characteristic attenuated figures, became an integral and celebrated element of the first edition.
