GRITSENKO NIKOLAI NIKOLAEVICH (1856-1900) A letter with artistic sketches addressed to the French journalist and art historian François Thibaud-Cisson (1856-1936).

In the French language. Russia, second half of the 19th century. 2 sheets. Paper, pencil, watercolor. The sheet is folded in half. Size: 21x27 cm. The text of the letter is accompanied by watercolor sketches of seascapes. Nikolai Nikolaevich Gritsenko (1856-1900) was a Russian marine and landscape artist. He participated in the journey to the East with Grand Duke Nicholas in 1890-91. In 1894, he left the naval service and was appointed as an artist to the Ministry of the Navy. He passed away in 1900 and was buried in Menton, France. Letter addressed to 'Dear Mr Thiébault' François THIEBAULT-SISSON (1856-1936) journalist and art critic. He asked about his health. 'Even if I'm so far away from you, I can't stand still without asking you anything, without getting news of your health...'. tells him about his travels '...first I was in Portsmouth and twice in Kronstadt... '. He talked about his painting 'Cherbourg', exhibited in Paris in Paul Durand-Ruel's galleries, the commissions he had received, the painting he had given to the Minister of the Navy, the sketches for 'les fêtes françaises', and wanted to share his joy with him. '... I am giving you this news only to share my joy of success with you, so that Russian journalists and art critics (so grey) will have one more reason to open their eyes and say that it is necessary to study not at home but there, in this Paris, this city of the arts, this centre of the world of artists, this country which is the only one at present in which one can find the area of progress in the life and education of an artist...'. He invited his wife on board their torpedo boat '... I even found a way of inviting my wife, who had come expressly from... to hide her (because women are not allowed to stay on board warships), to spend a few hours on our torpedo boat. She was dressed in my pelerine and looked like a... French officer'.