Abstract Composition
Original Hand Signed, Numbered and Dedicated Color Etching and Aquatint
Title: Abstract Composition
Technique: Original Color Etching and Aquatint on Velin d´Arches (wove) paper.
Paper size: 76 x 56.5 cm / 29.9 x 22.2 in
Additional Information: This work is Hand Signed Twice in pencil by the artist “Ardon”.
The work is also Hand Numberd in pencil at the lower left margin “27/50”.
The Etching is furthermore Hand Dedicated in pencil by the artist: “Fur Hern Christoph Niemoller, mit warmherzigem Gruss, Jerusalem 23.8.69, Ardon” (to Mr. Christoph Niemoller, with warmest regards, Jerusalem).
Provenance: The former collection of Dr. Christoph Niemoller, Germany. (a gift from the artist)
Condition: Good condition.
brown discoloration of the paper on the back side.
MORDECHI ARDON 1896-1992 Tuchów, Galicia 1896 – 1992 Jerusalem (Israeli) Title: Leaf with the Cross, 1971 Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered and Inscribed Etching with Aquatint on Lithograph in seven colours on Arches vellum paper Paper size: 56.5 x 76 cm / 22.2 x 29.9 in Plate size: 44.5 x 58.5 / 17.5 x 23 in Additional information: This work is hand signed in pencil by the artist in “Ardon” at the lower right margin. The work is also Inscribed in pencil “E.A” (Epreuve d’Artiste / Artist Proof) at the lower left margin. It is also dedicated “Amicalement” in pencil. It was printed in 1971 in a limited edition of 100 signed and numbered impressions plus a few artist proofs. Ours is one of the rare artist proofs. Literature: Michele Vishny. 1975. Mordecai Ardon. New York: Harry N. Abrams, inc. Reference: Vishny no. 320, plate 199. Condition: Good condition. Overall paper discoloration.
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.
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.
FRANCIS BACON 1909-1992
Dublin 1909-1992 Madrid (Irish / British)
Title: Central Panel, from: Triptych August 1972, 1989
Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Lithograph in Colours on Arches Wove Paper
Paper size: 89.5 x 62.5 cm. / 35.3 x 24.6 in.
Image size: 65.5 x 48.5 cm. / 35.3 x 19.1 in.
Additional Information: This lithograph in colours is hand signed in pencil by the artist “Francis Bacon” at the lower right margin.
It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 180, at the lower left margin.
It was published by Galerie Lelong, Paris, in a limited edition of 180 hand signed and numbered impressions based on Bacon’s painting “Triptych August 1972”.
Note: This work is generally considered one in a series of ‘Black Triptychs’ which followed the suicide of Bacon’s lover, George Dyer. Dyer appears on the left and Bacon is on the right. The central group (as depicted in this panel) is derived from a photograph of wrestlers by Edward Muybridge, but also suggests a more sexual encounter. The seated figures and their coupling are set against black voids and the central flurry has been seen as ‘a life-and-death struggle’. The artist’s biographer wrote: ‘What death has not already consumed seeps incontinently out of the figures as their shadows.’
Literature:
1. Tacou, A. (2008). Francis Bacon: Estampes – Collection Alexandre Tacou. Paris: Bervillé Éditions.
Reference: Tacou 24.
2. Sabatier, B. (2012). Francis Bacon: Oeuvre Graphique – The Graphic Work: Catalogue Raisonné. Paris: JSC Modern Art Gallery.
Reference: Sabatier 23
Condition: Excellent condition. Remnants of hinging tape along the upper and lower margins.
ENRICO BAJ 1924-2003
Milan 1924-2003 Vergiate (Italian)
Title: Cherry Tree, 1966
Technique: Original Hand Signed, Numbered and Dated Etching with Collage on Wove Paper
Paper size: 21.5 x 19.5 cm. / 8.5 x 7.7 in.
Additional Information: This original etching with collage is hand signed and dated in pencil by the artist “Baj” in the lower right margin.
It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 100, at the lower left margin.
This work was co-published by Galleria Schwarz, Milan and Haags Gemeentmuseum, Den Haag.
It was printed in a limited edition of 100 impressions for inclusion in the exhibition catalogue of Enrico Baj’s self titled show in June and July 1967.
Condition: Excellent condition
ABEL BERTRAM
1871 – 1954 (French)
Landscape
Original Stamp Signed Etching
Title: Landscape.
Technique: Original Etching on paper glued to carton.
Paper Size: 19 X 30 cm / 7.5 X 11.8 in.
Plate Size: 14,5 x 24 cm / 5.7 x 9.4 in.
Additional Information: This work is Stamped Signed with the signature stamp of the artist “Abel Bertram” at the lower left.
The Etching is also Signed in the plate with the initials of the artist at the lower left corner of the image.
Condition: Very Good condition. The margins of the paper have been cut. Light discoloration of the paper.
JIM BIRD 1937-2010 Bloxwich 1937-2010 Catalonia (British / Spanish) Title: Untitled, from: 12th Anniversary Galeria Joan Prats 1976-88 Portfolio, 1986 Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Lithograph in Colours on Guarro Wove Paper Paper size: 38 x 56 cm. / 14.9 x 22 in. Additional Information: This original lithograph in colours is hand-signed in pencil by the artist “Jim Bird” in the lower right image. It is also hand-numbered in pencil from the edition of 100, at the lower-left image. There were 20 artist’s proofs and 10 hors commerce [out of trade] impressions. It was included in the portfolio “Carpeta Commemorativa 12e Aniversari” [Commemorative 12th Anniversary Portfolio], consisting of 20 lithographs and etchings by numerous artists. The paper bears the Guarro watermark in the upper left sheet corner. Note: The contributing artists were: Sergi Aguilar, Frederic Amat, Jim Bird, Alfons Borrell, Joan Brossa, Jorge Castillo, Eduardo Chillida, Christo, Josep Guinovart, Joan Hernández-Pijuan, Antoni Llena, Victor Mira, Robert Motherwell, Kenneth Noland, Perejaume, Albert Ràfols-Casamada, Antoni Tàpies, Francisco Toledo, Zao Wou-Ki and Zush
Technique : Original Etching on paper.
Paper size : 21 X 15 cm / 8.3 X 5.9 inch.
Plate Size: 8 x 6 cm / 3.1 x 2.4 inch.
Additional Information : This Etching from 1944 was especially made as an Exlibris by Cyril Bouda.
The work is signed with the initials “CB” in the plate.
