Letter written by Bourdelle [to Jacques Emile Blanche]

Transcription of the letter (Translated from French):
“24 Nov 1921 Paris - My dear friend,
Bourdelle has not forgotten the famous painter and writer who put his Art at the service of my work. I am looking for a little free time in all my moments tied up with the hard work of the sculptor for the two planned portraits of me and you. 
Your devoted friend, Ant Bourdelle”
The circumstances of the first meeting between the painter Jacques-Emile Blanche and the sculptor, in July 1920, are recounted in an article by Blanche entitled Une visite à Antoine Bourdelle (A visit to Antoine Bourdelle) published in Comoedia on 21 July 1920. 
From then on, they maintained a friendship through correspondence. Blanche, who was also a journalist and writer, wrote glowing articles about Bourdelle. They both planned to play the cross-portrait game mentioned in the letter. Their relationship ended in 1923 when Bourdelle made the mistake of entrusting one of his pupils, Audrey James, with the sculpting of Blanche's likeness.
The sculptor, who often reserved his illustrated letters for his family or closest friends, sent the painter this ‘letter-drawing’, as he knew the artist appreciated his drawings. 
Blanche praised his skill at drawing in an article in Comœdia on 2 February 1921, referring to the “marvellous sketches he plies from 4 o'clock in the morning before going to his sculpture studios”.
In this letter, a winged snake is sketched in large black ink strokes embellished with watercolours. A wide red border frames the image. The coils and wings of the snake spread across the whole page. Drawing and text are closely interwoven in this very free and colourful composition. The text is superimposed on the drawing and inscribed in the serpentine curves. The monogram and the phrase “Et de moi” (And from me), added in red watercolour, “et de vous” (And from you) in black ink, respond to and complement each other. 
Bourdelle's sculptures and drawings frequently featured snakes or outstretched wings on animals or human figures. 

Claire Boisserolles