My Dear Bernard,
You truly wanted this Circus. So it didn’t take us long to come to an agreement. A little eccentric, both of us — or so they say — I quickly understood that you wanted to work for your own pleasure, which meant, in turn, that I would find myself facing a rather demanding endeavor. I have worked with many great artists, and I’ve rarely done anything that I did not enjoy. You could be my son, Bernard, and I admire your entire body of work — but you… you love the circus, the scent of the circus, the clowns, the horses, and all those who are essential to a show that truly delights you.
So, into the ring! The ringmaster is about to strike up the fanfare! I have no doubt whatsoever, because this book — which you are creating with your talent, your heart, and that kind of fury your close ones know so well — will stand as a deeply moving work in this rather sadly deranged era. The first lithographs, already printed, give us a glimpse of what the result will be: a true monument in honor of the Circus, and of Bernard Buffet.
Your friend,
Fernand Mourlot”
1966
