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IX of Chardin - why speak- Such fatness - such greys - such volonté- Beautiful architecture & beautiful planning in every way - but still with quiet emotion - & a technical accomplishment that makes you gasp. Boucher's methods can be seen - maybe that is why I gasped so long- he seemed to give me the key to part of Renoir. But Chardin, like all the greatest - is a miracle man. The little flower piece a gem - and recalled to me what Jamot said in The Burlington Magazine I sent you - that the French are lovers of blue - & use it nobly. La Petite Fille au Volant - exquisite Child with Cherries - a tiny canvas, but too beautiful for words. The Morning Toilet Notice the difference between his journal & fat folds - & the wet realistic dishrag of le Nain. The le Nain more dramatic pictures - but failing in respect of the small forms within the noble big ones Fragonard seems trite & silly & vulgar Prudhon awful-