GEORGES BRAQUE 1882-1963
Argenteuil-sur-Seine, 1882-1963 Paris
Title: Theogony of Hesiod | La Théogonie d’Hésiode, 1932
Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Etching on Hollande Van Gelder Wove Paper
Paper size: 53.2 x 37.6 cm. / 21 x 14.8 in.
Image size: 36.8 x 29.8 cm. / 14.5 x 11.8 in.
Additional Information: This etching is hand signed in brown crayon by the artist “G.Braque” at the lower right margin.
It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 50, at the lower left margin.
The work was printed in a limited edition of 50 hand signed and numbered impressions.
It was printed by Galanis in 1932.
This is the tenth plate from a series of 16 etchings that illustrate Hesiod’s “The Theogony”, which was commissioned by Ambroise Vollard, Paris.
The paper bears the Van Gelder watermark in the lower margin.
Note: Braque never discussed his fascination with Greek themes, but it is known that he first became interested in the art and literature of the very early (and rather unfashionable) Geometric or Protoattic periods, c.900-600 BC, in the early 1930s. In 1931 the first motifs relating to the Greek Mythology appeared in Braque’s work. From this time the Greek Mythology reference can be found across all of Braque’s different techniques: paintings, drawings, sculptures and off course in his graphic art.
His 1932 series of etchings to illustrate Hesiod’s “The Theogony” that was commission by Ambroise Vollard is considered to be one of his greatest achievements in printmaking.
Literature: Vallier, D. (1982). Braque: The Complete Graphics Catalogue Raisonne. New York: Alpine Fine Arts collection.
Reference: Vallier 20j
Condition: Very good condition. Very pale, unobtrusive mount staining in the margins.
GEORGES BRAQUE 1882-1963
Argenteuil-sur-Seine, 1882-1963 Paris (French)
Title: Bird of Passage | Oiseau de passage, 1961
Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Etching in Colours on BFK Rives Wove Paper
Paper size: 74.5 x 56 cm. / 29.3 x 22 in.
Image size: 59 x 41 cm. / 23.2 x 16 in.
Additional Information: This etching in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist “G.Braque” at the lower right margin.
It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 75, at the lower left margin.
The work was printed and published by Maeght Éditeur, in a limited edition of 75 signed and numbered impressions in 1961.
The paper bears the BFK Rives watermark in the lower right corner.
Literature: Vallier D. (1982). Braque: The Complete Graphics Catalogue Raisonné. New York: Alpine Fine Arts Collection.
Reference: Vallier 166
Condition: Excellent condition. A skilfully repaired minor tear at the extreme edge of the left margin.
GEORGES BRAQUE 1882-1963
Argenteuil-sur-Seine, 1882-1963 Paris (French)
Title: The Raptor | Le Rapace, 1963
Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Lithograph in Colours on Arches Paper
Paper size: 37.6 x 27.8 cm. / 14.8 x 11 in.
Additional Information: This lithograph in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist at the lower right margin “G.Braque”. It is also numbered “29/75” in pencil at the lower left margin. The paper bears the Arches watermark. This is one of the lithographs that were included in the “Lettera Amorosa” Portfolio to illustrate the poems of the French artist Rene Char. The work was published by Edwin Engelberts, Geneva, in a limited edition of 75 signed and numbered impressions in 1963. It was printed by Mourlot in Paris.
Mourlot with whom Georges Braque collaborated on this project said: “This work, whose execution lasted several years, greatly interested Braque. Several of these illustrations were redone two or three times and it was not always easy to obtain the Bon à tirer from the artist. The majority of the works were done on litho paper, transferred to zinc or stone, and retouched by the artist in his workshop.” Note: The bird is a recurrent motif in Braque’s oeuvre being a symbol of freedom and peace, especially after the second world war. At the very end of his life, the artist painted birds repeatedly, as the perfect motif of his obsession with space and movement.
Provenance:
Avant Garde Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa. Christie’s, London, 29th November 1995, lot 424.
Literature:
1) Vallier, D. (1984) Braque: The Complete Graphics Catalogue Raisonné. New York: Alpine Fine Arts Collection
Reference: Vallier 187.
2) Engelberts, E. & Wunsche, H. (1971). Georges Braque: Das Lithographische Werk. Boon: Galerie Wunsche.
Reference: Wunsche 147.
Condition: Good condition. Light staining in the upper part of image.
GEORGES BRAQUE 1882-1963 (French)
Argenteuil-sur-Seine, 1882-1963 Paris
Title: Mythological Figure, 1958
Technique: Original Hand Signed and Dated Ink Drawing on Paper
Paper size: 40.5 x 26 cm. / 15 x 10.3 in.
Additional Information: This drawing is hand signed with initials by the artist “G.B.” in black ink at the lower left margin.
It is also dated in black ink “17 Juin 1958” beside the signature.
This drawing was later used for the lithograph “Personnages sur Fond Rose” that was published 1960’s by the French publisher Jean-Paul Loriot. This lithograph is listed in the catalogue raisonne of prints by Dora Vallier in page 298 (Dora Vallier, Braque. L’Ouvre Gravé Catalogue Raisonné, Paris, 1982).
Note:
Braque never discussed his fascination with Greek themes, but it is known that he first became interested in the art and literature of the very early (and rather unfashionable) Geometric or Protoattic periods, c.900-600 BC, in the early 1930s. In 1931 the first motifs relating to the Greek Mythology appeared in Braque’s work. From this time the Greek Mythology reference can be found across all of Braque’s different techniques: paintings, drawings, sculptures and off course in his graphic art. His 1932 series of etchings “The Theogony” that was commission by Ambroise Vollard is considered to be one of his greatest achievements in print making.
Provenance:
Galerie Darga & Lansberg, Paris
Private Collection, Paris (acquired from the above in 2005)
The authenticity of this work has been kindly confirmed by Claude Laurens in his certificate of authenticity dated 20th December 2002.
Mr Laurens is Braque’s heir and the son of Braque’s friend and colleague, the sculptor Henri Laurens.
Exhibitions:
Georges Braque, IVAM (Institut Valencia d’Art Modern), 16th March – 7th May 2006.
Condition: Good condition. Three tape remains on the upper margin, verso.
GEORGES BRAQUE 1882-1963
Argenteuil-sur-Seine, 1882-1963 Paris
Title: The Dance, 1934
Technique: Original Hand Signed Etching with Aquatint on paper
Paper Size: 27.3 x 22 cm / 10.7 x 8.6 in
Plate Size: 24 x 17 cm / 9.4 x 6.6 in
Additional Information: This work is hand signed in pencil by the artist at the lower right margin “G.Braque”.
The etching was created for the book “Georges Braque” by Carl Einstein and was published in 1934 by Chroniques du Jour, Paris and A. Zwemmer, London and E. Weyne, New York.
It was printed in a limited edition of 250 signed and numbered impressions.
The book itself is hand numbered on the first page “Edition numérotée 68”.
Carl Einstein (26 April 1885 – 5 July 1940), born Karl Einstein, was an influential German Jewish writer, art historian, and critic.Regarded as one of the first critics to appreciate the development of Cubism, as well as for his work on African art and influence on the European avant-garde, Einstein was a friend and colleague of such figures as George Grosz, Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso and Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler. His work combined many strands of both political and aesthetic discourse into his writings, addressing both the developing aesthetic of modern art and the political situation in Europe.
Literature:
1. Vallier, Dora. 1982. Braque: The Complete Graphics Catalogue Raisonne. New York: Alpine Fine Arts collection.
Reference: Vallier 25, page 65.
2. Hofmann, Werner. 1961. L’Oeuvre Graphique de Georges Braque. Stuuugart: Editions Gerd Hatje.
Reference: Hatje Livres 111
Condition: Very Good condition.
Georges Braque (1882-1963) was a major 20th century French painter and sculptor who, along with Pablo Picasso, developed the art movement known as cubism. Braque was born on 13th May 1882 in Argenteuil-sur-Seine, France. He grew up in Le Havre and studied at the École des Beaux-Arts from around 1897 to 1899. Braque left for Paris to study under a master decorator to receive his craftsman certificate in 1901. From 1902 to 1904, he painted at the Académie Humbert in Paris, where he met Marie Laurencin and Francis Picabia. By 1906, Braque’s work was no longer Impressionist but Fauve in style. From 1909, Pablo Picasso and Braque worked together in developing Cubism – by 1911, their styles were extremely similar. In 1912, they started to incorporate collage elements into their paintings and to experiment with the papier collé (pasted paper) technique. Their artistic collaboration lasted until 1914. Braque served in the French Army during World War I and was wounded. Upon his recovery in 1917, he began a close friendship with Juan Gris. After World War I, Braque’s work became freer and less schematic. His fame grew in 1922 as a result of an exhibition at the Salon d’Automne in Paris. In addition to paintings, Braque also made lithographs, engravings and sculpture. From the late 1940s, he treated various recurring themes, such as birds, ateliers, landscapes, and seascapes. In 1954, he designed stained-glass windows for the church of Varengeville-sur-Mer . He died on 31st August 1963 in Paris.
Georges Braque (1882-1963) was a major 20th century French painter and sculptor who, along with Pablo Picasso, developed the art movement known as cubism. Braque was born on 13th May 1882 in Argenteuil-sur-Seine, France. He grew up in Le Havre and studied at the École des Beaux-Arts from around 1897 to 1899. Braque left for Paris to study under a master decorator to receive his craftsman certificate in 1901. From 1902 to 1904, he painted at the Académie Humbert in Paris, where he met Marie Laurencin and Francis Picabia. By 1906, Braque’s work was no longer Impressionist but Fauve in style. From 1909, Pablo Picasso and Braque worked together in developing Cubism - by 1911, their styles were extremely similar. In 1912, they started to incorporate collage elements into their paintings and to experiment with the papier collé (pasted paper) technique. Their artistic collaboration lasted until 1914. Braque served in the French Army during World War I and was wounded. Upon his recovery in 1917, he began a close friendship with Juan Gris. After World War I, Braque’s work became freer and less schematic. His fame grew in 1922 as a result of an exhibition at the Salon d’Automne in Paris. In addition to paintings, Braque also made lithographs, engravings and sculpture. From the late 1940s, he treated various recurring themes, such as birds, ateliers, landscapes, and seascapes. In 1954, he designed stained-glass windows for the church of Varengeville-sur-Mer . He died on 31st August 1963 in Paris.
