Monet's 1875 Loan Letter Reveals Early Financial Struggles, Heads to Auction
A letter from Claude Monet dated October 18, 1875 reveals the artist secured a loan of 1,000 francs from Gustave Manet, pledging 35 paintings as collateral. The document will be auctioned by Autograph Auctions on March 25. This correspondence highlights the financial difficulties faced by Impressionist artists early in their careers. The letter specifically mentions the painting 'La Japonaise,' now valued at approximately $100 million and housed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Key facts
- Claude Monet pledged 35 paintings as collateral for a 1,000 franc loan in 1875.
- The loan letter will be auctioned by Autograph Auctions on March 25.
- The letter mentions the painting 'La Japonaise,' now worth an estimated $100 million.
- Monet's 'Meules' set an auction record for Impressionist art at $110.7 million in 2019.
Entities
Artists
- Claude Monet
- Édouard Manet
- Gustave Manet
Institutions
- Autograph Auctions
- Museum of Fine Arts Boston
- Sotheby's
- International Autograph Auctions Europe SL
- Morgan Library & Museum
- Museum of Fine Art Boston
Locations
- New York
- Boston
- Paris