Letter from Henri Matisse, Nice, to Paul Rosenberg, 1939 December 5 : autograph manuscript signed.

Matisse has just seen his lawyer, who said that there is nothing to be done, since all arrangements made before the judgment are illegal and can be denied by his wife. He advised Matisse to accept what he can't prevent--the judgment of January 15 in which it was decided that the sharing [Matisse's wife said she had the right to half his paintings] could be put off. Matisse would like it to be postponed to the spring. His daughter-in-law, wife of his son Jean, is coming for a few days to witness the valuing of the buildings that are here [in Paris] and would replace Madame Matisse. She is nice and understanding and will be able to get what Matisse wants from his wife--providing his wife doesn't oppose it out of spite. The lawyer has advised that if there is to be sharing of the linens, etc., Matisse should not do it without her signature. He advised that Matisse should do nothing without consulting someone his trusts. Matisse says that he trusts his notaire ["notary"--a kind of lawyer that deals with contracts, etc.]. Matisse says that in view of the attitude he assumed at the start of the lawsuit--that he was completely in the wrong--there's nothing he can do except let things take their course. He can't act in opposition to the paper that he gave [the court? his wife?]. All he can do is throw himself into his work.