Letter from Henri Matisse, Paris, to Paul Rosenberg, 1940 May 5 : autograph manuscript signed.

Matisse saw Bellier, who is representing Madame Matisse. He has her entire confidence, and she gave him a power [like a power of attorney], so Rosenberg and Matisse do not have to worry. This has all been ordered by the court. The works will be displayed two by two of equal value as much as possible, and, as the one who painted them, Matisse will have first choice. There has been no talk of Matisse's 19th-century works. That's a more delicate issue, but he feels sure that it will all work out. He hopes to get it straightened out with Mme Duthuit before Rosenberg gets involved with the other works. The engravings, for example, will already have been divided up. He hopes that everything proceeds quickly. Matisse asks if Rosenberg is thinking about the exhibition. The Bernheims [Gaston and Josse], who bought 2 drawings from him, want to put on an exhibition of his engravings around the 15th [of May]. He will lend them some. He said that it would be very good if the two exhibitions could coincide. They'd stand together, support each other, and neither could harm the other. Matisse writes about the weather and then tells him to write him at 132 Bd. Montparnasse, where he picks up his mail. He says he has become a secretive person. (in postscript) He supposes that the portrait of Madame Cézanne can't be far away, if Rosenberg asked for its return when he said he did. He says it would be useful for the division of the property. Gaston [Bernheim] won't be present at the division. He's too busy with his work. The actual dividing up won't be definitive until after the court's decision. However, each one's share must be determined and accepted beforehand.