Pierre-Narcisse Guérin papers

"Among the seven letters included in the collection are one letter to the Comte de Forbin (January 1821) and three letters to Guérin's friend Durandeau (1822-1825) giving accounts of his travels in Italy and discussing commissions and personal business. In a four-page undated essay titled "Sur le génie" Guérin argues that in painting, a powerful theme conveyed with simplicity is the salient quality of all works of genius; he cites Poussin's "Déluge" as an example. The collection also includes a bill of sale (December 1833) signed by Guérin's executor P. David, for the contents of Guérin's studio to Léon Cogniet."