JEAN [HANS] ARP 1886 –1966 Strasbourg, France 1886–1966 Basel, Switzerland (German/French)

Title: French Form | Forme Francaise, 1959

Technique: Hand Signed Pencil Drawing on Wove Paper

Paper size: 40 x 34.8 cm. / 15.8 x 13.7 in.

Additional Information: This pencil drawing is hand signed at the lower right margin in pencil “Arp”.

Provenance: Galerie Denise René, Paris, purchased 3rd January 1962 The Eileen and Herbert C. Bernard Collection, United States of America

Note: Eileen and Herbert Bernard were lifelong collectors of the twentieth-century European avant-garde. With a particular focus on works on paper, the couple visited Europe often to acquire works directly from galleries dealing with contemporary artists.

Exhibited: Paris, Galerie Denise Rene, Apr. – May 1959 New York, Harmonie Club, Sculpture and Drawings by Sculptors, Apr. 7 – 25, 1966, cat. no. 3

Condition: Very good condition.

JEAN [HANS] ARP 1886-1966
Strasbourg, France 1886 – 1966 Basel, Switzerland (German/French)

Title: Variable Picture (3 x 7 = 21 Shapes) | Variables Bild (3 x 7 = 21 Formen), 1964

Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Paper, Wood and Plexiglas Multiple

Size: 40 x 40 cm. / 15.7 x 15.7 in.

Additional Information: This multiple is hand signed by the artist “J. Arp” in blue ballpoint pen on a label, verso.
It is also hand numbered in blue ballpoint pen, from the edition of 100 on a label, verso.
It was published by Galerie der Spiegel édition MAT, Cologne in 1965
Each example of Arp’s Variables Bild (3 x 7 = 21 Formen) is composed of a unique formation of 21 pieces of stamped-cut paper, arranged by chance making each one of the works in this edition different and unique.

Note: The artist, along with other Dada and Surrealist artists, embraced chance and spontaneity as a tool in their creative process by removing direct rational thought from the artistic outcome.
Arp explained: ‘I allow myself to be guided by the work at the time of its birth, I have confidence in it. I don’t reflect. The forms come, pleasing or strange, hostile, inexplicable, dumb or drowsy. They are born of themselves.
(Arp, quoted in Jours effeuills: Poemes, essais, souvenirs, 1920-1965, Zurich, 1963, pp. 435-436)

Condition: Very good condition. The Plexiglas showing minor signs of wear due to age. The paper shapes and wooden support in very good condition. The signed label with remnants of adhesive along the upper edge, verso.

JEAN [HANS] ARP 1886-1966
Strasbourg, France 1886 – 1966 Basel, Switzerland (German/French)

Title: Untitled, from Le Soleil Recerclé, 1962-65 (Grey circle white shape)

Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Woodcut in colours on cream handmade velin d’ Auvergne paper

Paper Size: 55 x 43.7 cm / 21.7 x 17.2 in

Additional Information: This work is hand signed in the lower left margin in pencil “Arp”.
It is also Hand Numbered in pencil “50/60” at the lower right margin.
This is one of a series of 13 woodcuts that accompany the book of poems also by Jean Arp titled “Le Soleil Recerclé”.
It was published in 1966 by Louis Broder, Paris in a limited edition of 60 signed impressions, plus 10 proofs.
It was printed at the studio of Fequet et Baudier, Paris.
The paper bears the Arp watermark.

Literature: Wilhelm F. Arntz. Hans (Jean) Arp: das Graphische Werk 1912-1966. Haag/Obb.: G. Arntz-Winter. 1980
Reference: Arntz 250

Condition: Very good condition.

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ARP, Hans (1887-1966)

French Form, 1959

Variable Picture (3 x 7 = 21 Shapes) | Variables Bild (3 x 7 = 21 Formen), 1964

Untitled, from Le Soleil Recerclé