The Art Institute of Chicago, Edward McCormick Blair collection. A fantastic letter on the early days of the modern art movement.FEATURE Image: Paul Gauguin, Tahitian Idol-The Goddess Hina, 1894/95 – woodcut in black ink, over ochre and red, with touches of white and green inks, on tan wove paper, 5.78 x 4.72 inches (147 x 120 mm). The 5.25'' x 8'' letter shows expected folds, tape residue and minor soiling. It was there that the art collaborative was originally formed. The reference to Madame LaTouche likely refers to the household of Louis LaTouche, a landscape painter who displayed Impressionist paintings in his art shop. Although remembered as a Post-Impressionist artist because of his bold colorful style, Gauguin's early work was heavily influenced by Pissarro, with whom he painted frequently.

This was also the first year of the annual exhibition that Pissarro, Degas and Gauguin all displayed their work.

Pissarro, one of the original members of the Societe, had mentored Gauguin throughout the 1870's and, by extending the invitation to join his cooperative of artists, allowed Pissarro to exhibit his work at the 4th Impressionist Exhibition of 1879 Gauguin did in fact exhibit there for the first time in 1879, displaying a sculpture of his son Emile. Yours truly with many thanks, / P Gauguin''. I will probably see you at Miss Latouche's and we will talk about this. Based on this decision, I also have the membership dues available. And naturally in that case I shall abide by all the rules that govern your Societe. Pissarro / I accept with pleasure the invitation that you and Mr.

Letter in French on four pages of card style stationery reads in full: ''My Dear Mr. Dated 3 April 1879 to French artist Camille Pissarro, Gauguin accepts membership in the ''Societe Anonyme Cooperative des Artistes Peintres, Sculpteurs, Graveurs,'' formed in 1873 by Pissarro, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Alfred Sisley for the purpose of exhibiting their artwork independently (largely because art critics of the time lampooned their work). Museum-worthy autograph letter signed by French artist Paul Gauguin, here accepting an invitation early in his career to exhibit with fellow Impressionist artists.

Good Day, Mr. Gauguin by Michael Pierre