ARTAUD Antonin. - Lot 26

ARTAUD Antonin. 2 AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED to Robert DESNOS. March 15, 1937 on café le Dôme letterhead and November 13, 1940. 4 pages in-4 in ink. Robert Desnos and Paul Eluard interceded with Dr. Ferdière to have Artaud admitted to his psychiatric hospital in Rodez. He was admitted in 1943. Prior to this, his relationship with Desnos had always been very friendly, and the latter sought to help Artaud, as stated in a letter dated March 15, 1937... I need to be back in possession of my strength to do what I have to do and say what I have to say. The nursing home was only a first step, and in any case I can't get down to any work that would require a lot of physical exertion. Radio would be another matter. I'm sorry to discourage your friendship, and I'm extremely touched by your concern, but I'm not physically capable of making a film at the moment. To try would be to fail, which I'd rather avoid. In the streets and in the houses there are millions and millions of dead people whom evil has kept alive... and who night after night come back because each new day that reappears and then passes has been taken over by Satan in the past at the price each time for me of a new offer and a new mutilation and this in order to keep in this world the presence of an evil that I spend my days killing. I've had enough of this unholy struggle and I need to be relieved Robert Desnos. Come and see me here as soon as possible.