untitled (letter with drawings of cats)

Maurice Delcourt, artist

1877–1916

untitled (letter with drawings of cats), 1914–1916

Where object was made: France

Material/technique: pencil; ink; colored pencil

Dimensions:
Object Height/Width (Height x Width): 20.1 x 23.2 cm
Object Height/Width (Height x Width): 7 15/16 x 9 1/8 in

Credit line: Gift of Professor Eric Gustav Carlson

Accession number: 2014.0362

Not on display

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Delcourt was a talented illustrator and woodcut artist. He entered the war in 1914, became a decorated second lieutenant, and died in the conflict at Mort-Homme during the battle of Verdun on December 29, 1916. This illustrated letter, written while convalescing from a wound, is addressed to a friend—possibly Georges Victor-Hugo—and makes reference to the Parisian Chat Noir (Black Cat) night club frequented by artists. The body of the letter is translated as:
November 11 St. Martin
Dear Friend
My right paw is still in a bit of a mess. Indeed it is with my left hand that I have decorated this page for you. So I will only visit you as promised in a few days’ time before getting back to my old Chat Noir City [Paris]. I have not yet seen M. Bourdel who has gone up to the trenches after his leave.
Yours truly,
M. Delcourt
2nd Lt. 312
Ambulance XII/8
Sector 45