André Michel Bücher

Painted in 1887, the artist was sixty-three and at the peak of his career, confidently reflecting on a series of misunderstood works that would soon gain universal acclaim. My first encounter with him came in early 1888, following a correspondence that began on May 8, 1881, when he expressed gratitude for an article I wrote about his work, Le Pauvre Pecheur. Despite our exchanges, we had never met until then. Over the years, he had sent me various tokens of appreciation for my defense of his art. In one of his letters, he conveyed a desire to meet, expressing admiration for my support while also acknowledging the delicacy of such relationships. He felt a strong artistic sympathy that bordered on affection, which he was hesitant to impose upon me. This connection, built through written words, highlighted the profound bond that can exist between artists and their supporters, transcending mere acquaintance. The publisher, Forgotten Books, aims to preserve historical works with state-of-the-art technology, ensuring the original format is maintained while repairing imperfections. While some flaws from the original may remain, they are intentionally left to honor the historical integrity of the work.