Jean LURÇAT (1892-1966). L.A.S. "Jean" with drawing, [Octobe - Lot 341

Jean LURÇAT (1892-1966). L.A.S. "Jean" with drawing, [October 25, 1934], to his ex-wife Marthe Hennebert; 1 1/2 pages in-4 headed Bar-Café-Brasserie Roblin (letter a little creased with fold marks). Amusing account of André Gide at the meeting in support of the USSR, organized by the newspaper L'Humanité on October 24, 1934 at the Salle de la Mutualité. The letter is illustrated with a small ink drawing of André Gide, chairman of the meeting, raising his fist. Lurçat begins by recalling his days as a film extra: "8, 10 hours a day in the studio under 5 lamps with 1,000 candles, rehearsing the same scene twenty times. You earn those hundred francs! In the evening, meetings, the office, not a second to yourself"... He recounts his previous evening with André Gide: "We were presiding over a big meeting, he in honor of me. 4,000 people. Mad enthusiasm (21 of them had just returned from over there [USSR]). You should have seen it. Gide singing the Internationale with his arm in the Red Front on the rostrum [drawing]. 4 times during the evening. And the standing ovation when he entered and I announced Præsidium: Gide, Cassou, Ozenfant and 21 workers. A Citroën worker shook his hand and tapped him on the shoulder: "It's you, Gide! Ah, you bet I know you!" Poor Gide couldn't stand it any longer: "Yes, come and see me! Then Lurçat announces his departure "for the USSR in 8 days. Picasso, Signac, Masereel, Léger, Ozenfant, are on board. I'm asked to go ahead of them to enlighten them on everyone's political and aesthetic situation. Guests for a month, tickets provided"....