Letter from Jean Hélion, New York, to Paul Rosenberg, 1945 November 11 : typescript signed.

Hélion is glad that Rosenberg is returning to New York soon and wishes he himself were in Paris. The distressing news of post-war Paris is not enough to discourage him. After all the privations, etc., of the war, how could conditions not be bad? He says it's time that people like him return to help their fellow citizens. Hélion says that what Rosenberg has written to him about painting appears is understandable. During a war, one can't expect a new form of art or expect that artists would rise to a higher level. He is happy that mature artists are able to continue to work and that young ones have the courage to try. Hélion asks if Rosenberg has seen the paintings of Hans Hartung. Helion doesn't know if Hartung would suit Rosenberg's needs at the moment but would consider it a friendly gesture if Rosenberg went to visit his studio. He is in financial straits, and Helion is trying to organize an exhibit of his work in New York. Florence [Walters] has been to Hélion's studio and chose some gouaches. She also saw some finished paintings, and he's going to take 5 or 6 to her this week. The others aren't ready. Hélion says that Rosenberg mentioned that young artists are still doing abstract art in Paris. He asks how they can do that after living through the war. He says that abstract art is fear of living, which he, too, has felt. In any case, he is feeling liberated and sees that there is a window open onto a world of treasures now. He speaks about one of his good friends, Pierre Bruguière, who owns some of his paintings. Bruguière has gone to see Rosenberg. Hélion is glad that Rosenberg is gradually recovering his collection and will be happy to see the things he has recovered.