THEATER – François-Joseph TALMA (1763–1826, actor, Napoleon’ - Lot 267

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THEATER – François-Joseph TALMA (1763–1826, actor, Napoleon’ - Lot 267
THEATER – François-Joseph TALMA (1763–1826, actor, Napoleon’s favorite actor and friend) / A rare document: these are his handwritten corrections to the preface preceding his “Some Reflections on Le Kain and the Art of Theater” for the edition published by Crapelet in Paris in 1825 – These reflections were published on the occasion of the reissue of Le Kain’s “Memoirs” (Henri Le Kain, 1729–1778, was the most revered actor of the Comédie-Française in the 18th century; his memoirs were published by his son Bernardin Le Kain in 1801, based on his papers) – In 1825, Talma was at the height of his popularity and artistic prowess; his fame surpassed that of Le Kain, and in fact, Talma took advantage of this reprint to express his views on the art of theater / The MANUSCRIPT presented here is the note preceding Talma’s reflections, 2 folio pages, written by a secretary (in calligraphic handwriting) and containing Talma’s autograph corrections (in darker ink) – The 1856 reprint of this text confirms in its preface that the note begins with “I do not claim to be a writer” and ends with “I hope the reader will see in this confidence neither an excess of vanity nor false modesty,” which is indeed consistent with Talma’s corrections; it is further stated that the manuscript of the text itself—these reflections—is housed at the Bibliothèque de la Comédie Française (without the preface). / EXPLANATION: This manuscript comes from the archives of Louis-Benoit PICARD (1769–1828, actor, playwright, and theater director); it was preserved along with four other documents: 1°) An autograph letter (1 p., in-8, unsigned) addressed to Picard, asking him to write the note: “Mr. Picard, who writes novels so well and biographical entries just as well, does he really need me to send him some notes on the outline I intended to follow and the works I wished to consult? I am sending him these guidelines since he requests them. I would be delighted if they could spare him some trouble; there is no student of painting who has not taken pride in grinding the colors for a great master” - 2°) The outline mentioned earlier, which details in eight points what should be said about *Le Kain*, including an anecdote about his early career (2 pages, in-8) – 3°) A handwritten note on La Kain, written by the secretary (in calligraphy), lists bibliographic details and specifies a meeting with Talma – 4°) a printed document reproducing an “excerpt from a private letter” dated June 1780 concerning Le Kain (4 pp., in-8) / CONCLUSION: One possible interpretation of these documents is that Bernardin LE KAIN Jr. is the author of the letter and the notes to PICARD (this publication was primarily a reprint of Le Kain’s Memoirs); the printed document appears to come from Le Kain’s archives, and the entry was likely written by PICARD, which explains its presence in his archives / NB: this entry is particularly interesting due to the cross-outs and, above all, the powerful passage at the end that was omitted from the printed version
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