People around Philippe Smit
René Massé (1882–1944)
From a family originally from Bois le Roi (Seine-et-Marne), he met Philippe Smit sometime before 1910 and they attended the same schools, “L’Académie” in rue Etienne Marcel and that of Monsieur Gery-Richard in rue Montgolfier.
A strong friendship united the two men for nearly 40 years. He collected the letters he had received from the artist since January 1910 in an album and related in a diary (of which only the years 1920-1935 remain) the details of their encounters.
Married, his wife operated an embroidery workshop on rue Saint Marc in Paris, and he worked as a decorator at Boucheron until 1933.
Very admiring of the work of the artist, Massé exhibited his own creations at the Salon d’automne in 1919.1
He died on 3 June 1944.
1. N° 1310 – Une vitrine contenant: Coussin les Chrysanthèmes (broderie au passé); […] Collaboration pour l’exécution: Mme René Massé. (A showcase containing: Cushion Chrysanthemums (embroidery); […] With the assistance in the execution: Mrs. René Massé).
René Massé, c. 1940, photograph inscribed on the back: “11 November 1944/ for my dearest Philippe Smit/ in memory of my beloved husband/ René Massé/ whose most sincere and affectionate friend he was, your Mathilde” (11 novembre 1944/ A mon très cher Philippe Smit/ en souvenir de mon mari bien-aimé/ René Massé dont il fut l’ami le plus/ sincère et le plus affectueux/votre Mathilde) (private archives, Paris).
Photo card of René Massé, in uniform of the 4th Infantry Regiment, 29th Company, dated Auxerre, February 1915 and dedicated "To my dear friend Philippe Smit, in affectionate friendship, René Massé" ( À mon cher ami/ Philippe Smit/ en affectueuse amitié/ René Massé) (private archives, Paris)