LOUIS MARCOUSSIS (1883-1941) (Ludwik Kazimierz Wladyslaw Markus) Łódź, Poland 1878/1883 – 1941 Cusset, France (Polish/French)
Title: Planches de Salut, 1931
Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Book on Japon Imperial paper, including a Suite of 13 Hand Signed and Numbered Etchings on Japan laid on Arches paper, and 3 Hand Signed and Numbered Etchings on Arches vellum paper
Paper size: 31 x 40.5 cm / 12.2 x 16 in
Additional Information: This work comprises of the complete portfolio from the deluxe edition of ten (numbered 2-11), published by Jeanne Bucher and printed by Lacourière, Paris 1931. including: 1. The book of 13 etchings with frontispiece, en-tête, ten plates and cul-de-lampe, on Japon Imperial paper. It is Hand Signed “Marcoussis” in black ink on the justification page. It is also Hand Numbered in black ink “3” of an edition of 10 numbered 2-11. 2. Additional suite: This Deluxe Edition included an additional suite of all the 13 etchings, on Japon appliqué supported on Arches. Each one of the etchings is Hand Signed in pencil “Marcoussis” at the lower right margin. They are also each is Hand Numbered in pencil numbered “3/11” on the lower left margin. 3. Finally, this edition includes three different states of plate I (first, second and third state), on Arches, each Hand signed in pencil and Hand numbered 2/2. There were only 2 impressions of each state.
Note: Marcoussis took up printmaking again at the beginning of the 1930s. In Planches de Salut, with an introduction by Tristan Tzara, Marcoussis pays homage to his favorite writers, such as Baudelaire, Dostoevski, Rimbaud, Shakespeare, and Gerard de Nerval. The term ‘planche de salut’ is slang for ‘long plank to salvation’.
Literature: Milet, Solange. Louis Marcoussis: Catalogue raisonne de l’oeuvre grave. Copenhague: Forlaget Cordelia, 1991 Reference: Milet 66-78
Condition: Very good condition. Some foxing and time staining, mainly in the margins. Some slight discolouration along the edges.
LOUIS MARCOUSSIS (1883-1941) (Ludwik Kazimierz Wladyslaw Markus) 1878 or 1883 Łódź, Poland – 1941, Cusset, France (Polish/French)
Title: The Balcony (Drawing for Plate I, Planches de Salut), 1930
Technique: Original Hand Signed and Dated Drawing in Pencil on paper laid on vellum paper
Paper size: 30.8 x 40.3 cm / 12.1 x 15.8 in
Image size: 18 x 23.2 cm / 7.1 x 9.2 in
Additional Information: This drawing is Hand Signed “Marcoussis” in the lower left corner. It is Hand dated next to the signature “1930”. It is a preparatory drawing for plate I of Planches de Salut, a book of 13 etchings published by Jeanne Bucher and printed by Lacourière, Paris, 1931. It is inspired by Charles Baudelaire’s poem “The Balcony”, from his famous collections of poems, Fleurs du Mal. Line 16 from this poem “The night was growing dense like an encircling wall”, appears in the pge preceeding the etching in the portfolio.
The Balcony, by Charles Baudelaire
Mother of memories, mistress of mistresses, O you, all my pleasure, O you, all my duty! You’ll remember the sweetness of our caresses, The peace of the fireside, the charm of the evenings. Mother of memories, mistress of mistresses!
The evenings lighted by the glow of the coals, The evenings on the balcony, veiled with rose mist; How soft your breast was to me! how kind was your heart! We often said imperishable things, The evenings lighted by the glow of the coals.
How splendid the sunsets are on warm evenings! How deep space is! how potent is the heart! In bending over you, queen of adored women, I thought I breathed the perfume in your blood. How splendid the sunsets are on warm evenings!
The night was growing dense like an encircling wall, My eyes in the darkness felt the fire of your gaze And I drank in your breath, O sweetness, O poison! And your feet nestled soft in my brotherly hands. The night was growing dense like an encircling wall.
I know the art of evoking happy moments, And live again our past, my head laid on your knees, For what’s the good of seeking your languid beauty Elsewhere than in your dear body and gentle heart? I know the art of evoking happy moments.
Those vows, those perfumes, those infinite kisses, Will they be reborn from a gulf we may not sound, As rejuvenated suns rise in the heavens After being bathed in the depths of deep seas? — O vows! O perfumes! O infinite kisses!
Translated by: William Aggeler, The Flowers of Evil (Fresno, CA: Academy Library Guild, 1954)
Note: Marcoussis took up printmaking again at the beginning of the 1930s. In Planches de Salut, with an introduction by Tristan Tzara, Marcoussis pays homage to his favorite writers, such as Baudelaire, Dostoevski, Rimbaud, Shakespeare, and Gerard de Nerval. The term ‘planche de salut’ is slang for ‘long plank to salvation’.
Literature: Milet, Solange. Louis Marcoussis: Catalogue raisonne de l’oeuvre grave. Copenhague: Forlaget Cordelia, 1991 Reference: Milet 67
Condition: Very good condition. Some minor foxing mainly in the margins.
LOUIS MARCOUSSIS (1883-1941)
(Ludwik Kazimierz Wladyslaw Markus)
1878 or 1883 Łódź, Poland – 1941, Cusset, France
(Polish/French)
Title: Frontispiece for Planches de Salut, 1931
Technique: Original Hand Signed Etching and Engraving on Chine collé on Arches
Paper size: 32.7 x 42.4 cm / 12.8 x 16.7 in
Image Size: 20 x 23.5 cm / 8 x 9 in
Additional Information: This work is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Marcoussis” in the lower left corner.
It is hand numbered 2/2 and inscribed “3 Etat” (third state, out of three printed) in pencil lower margin.
This is one of the 10 etchings that Marcoussis created for the portfolio “Planches de Salut”.
The portfolio was published by Jeanne Bucher, Paris in a limited edition of 71 copies in which the individaul etchings were not signed.
Our impression is a rare trial proof of the third state (of three). Each one of the states had only two trial proofs that were signed by the artist.
The etchings were printed by Lacourière, Paris in 1931.
Marcoussis took up printmaking again at the beginning of the 1930s.
In Planches de Salut, Marcoussis pays homage to his favorite writers, such as Baudelaire, Dostoevski, Rimbaud, Shakespeare, and Gerard de Nerval.
Literature: Milet, Solange. Louis Marcoussis: Catalogue raisonne de l’oeuvre grave. Copenhague: Forlaget Cordelia, 1991
Reference: Milet 66.
Condition: Very good condition. Some slight discolouration along the edges. Two minor tears on left margin.