Georges Braque L’essor (The Flight) II, 1962 evokes a sense of tranquility as several white lines intersect with dark blocks of color. Engaging in the boundaries of the medium, Braque uses expressive white strokes of line and sweeping motions of curves which serve to emulate the wings of the bird in flight. The delicate strokes on the soft cream paper give off the illusion of the work being a watercolor which adds to the ethereal quality of the work. Looking closer it is easy to see its wings and its long neck. The black shapes behind this bird resemble petals slowly falling to the ground. The background is a light lilac color which contrasts seamlessly with the central image. In highlighting the white lines and darker forms with a softer lilac, Braque presents us with a collage-like effect through the ways the colors and shapes interesect. This lithograph relays the impression that bits of paper were layered upon one another, for the colors appear to effortlessly glide and float across the surface, seamlessly resting upon and beneath one another.

Created in 1961, this color lithograph is hand-signed by Georges Braque (Argentueil, Val-d’Oise, 1882 – Paris, 1963) in pencil in the lower right; numbered from the edition of 100 in pencil in the lower left; published and printed by Maeght, Paris.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Georges Braque The Flight (L’essor) II, 1961 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnès and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work.

1. Vallier, Dora. Braque: The Complete Graphics. New York: Gallery Books, 1982. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 162
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this color lithograph.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standard Georges Braque The Flight (L’essor)II, 1961 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas