How letters can help us learn more about famous artists

Artists are, by nature, a solitary bunch, at least when they’re creating. Often, they will tell you that their inspiration to paint or sculpt comes from somewhere deep within them, so they may not always like interruptions, distractions, or an audience.

However, being humans, many great artists from the past still enjoyed the company of others. The social experience gave them opportunities to get out and interact. Art history is full of examples of artists who enjoyed talking with their peers, either in person or through famous letters. This was partly smart networking, such as spreading the word for possible patronage or galleries that might appreciate a certain style or body of work.

The reasons could also be social, as in drinking buddies who share the same hobbies and philosophies. The community of Impressionist artists in the late 19th century is an excellent example – many stayed in the same part of Paris, ate and drank at the same establishments, and generally considered each other peers. There may have been some polite competition, but generally most seemed focused on creating a new art movement at that moment in time.

They even created their own secret group called the “Anonymous Society of Painters, Sculptors, Printmakers, Etc.” and organized their own exhibitions, consciously avoiding the “mainstream” French establishment galleries at the time.

Even within this movement, genuine friendships developed, such as the cordial relationship between Renoir and Monet. They would sometimes travel together and paint similar objects they saw.

Looking at famous letters from these and other artists, many enjoyed interacting with each other through the mail system. The written word was a good chance for people to share casual thoughts as well as go into more depth about themselves and their art.

Letters could be shared between fellow artists as well as general fans. In the days before email or social media, the best way to approach an artist was through a letter, even if it was to discuss possible business opportunities or other requests for attention. These famous letters can give much insight into the artist’s inner views and interactions with the world. Were they cordial to fans? Did they miss their family when they were traveling? What did they like about their art and what did they dislike? What did they worry about? Even seemingly-routine matters can help illuminate what their daily life was like.

A new book, “Artists’ Letters: Leonardo da Vinci to David Hockney,” shares more than 100 interesting conversations artists have had on paper over the last 600 years. Some are written to romantic or possibly romantic partners, some are cheerful, and some are basic business correspondence over who may or not owe someone money.

It includes Michelangelo discussing the importance of having a good wife, and people in general, not beauty or possessions – “All you need to have is an eye to birth, good health and above all, a nice disposition.”

It also includes several by Picasso, who enjoyed conversing with others, especially his lifelong friend Jaume Sabartes, a writer, confidante and his personal secretary. In fact, Picasso donated them to his museum in 1968, and expressly requested that these famous letters be entered in the public domain 50 years later, thinking that they might be of interest to scholars.

Rodin also shared some interesting views about how a person should live as an artist, prompted by his poet friend Rainier Rilke who he wrote a monograph with. (Leo Tolstoy had previously dismissed Rilke for asking similar types of questions.)