Lot n° 207
Estimation :
2000 - 2500
EUR
André BRETON. Autograph manuscript, Interview d'Opéra (André - Lot 207
André BRETON. Autograph manuscript, Interview d'Opéra (André Parinaud), [24] October 1951; 2 pages in4, with numerous erasures and corrections.
Interesting interview on the state of the surrealist movement, in response to eight questions from André Parinaud.
I. On the subject of the possible creation of a journal, Breton regrets "the time when the expenses incurred by the launching of a journal could be assumed by all his collaborators, each of them contributing as much as they could afford. This was the case for La Révolution Surréaliste and Le Surréalisme A.S.D.L.R. At least total independence was guaranteed". Publishers have made proposals to them, but the Surrealists remain hesitant, "because they would tend towards the realization of an "art" magazine, whereas Surrealism, today as yesterday, can only fully accommodate itself to a combat magazine. The affirmation of Surrealism as a movement still alive has against it a conspiracy of powerful and organized forces", who want to limit it to the last two wars and define it today by "
what it has been"?
II. Breton deplores the loss of freedom in art, the disappearance of many young magazines and independent avant-garde publishers: "There, as elsewhere, it is the assured victory of the trusts. [...]. Under these conditions it is doubtful that works corresponding to what the first Borel or Jarry were in their time could see the light of day. It is no more obvious, given the conditions of art today, that an equal of Gauguin or Daumier could break through. He denounces the speculation of art galleries, which distorts "the relationship between artist and amateur": the works of Matisse, Rouault, Utrillo, Picasso "benefit - and suffer - from an outrageous swelling of advertising to which they are inexcusable to lend themselves"; as for the innovators, they are imposed the only way of "
non-figurative"...
III. Breton nevertheless welcomes the abolition of many taboos, but obser
My orders
Sale information
Sales conditions
Return to catalogue