Georges Braque, Profil from Lettera amorosa, 1963 |
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| Artist: | Georges Braque (1882 - 1963) |
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| Title: | Profil from Lettera amorosa, 1963 |
| Reference: | Vallier 187 |
| Medium: | Color Lithograph |
| Image Size: | 11 1/2 in x 8 1/2 in (29 cm x 21.5 cm) |
| Sheet Size: | 12 5/8 in x 10 in (32.1 cm x 25.4 cm) |
| Framed Size: | 25 in x 26 1/4 in (68.6 cm x 64.1 cm) |
| Edition: | This work is an artist's proof annotated 'H.C.' (hors de commerce) in pencil in the lower left margin aside from the numbered edition of 75. |
| Signature: | This work is hand-signed by Georges Braque (Argentueil, Val-d'Oise, 1882 - Paris, 1963) in pencil in the lower right margin. |
| Condition: | This work is in excellent condition. |
| ID # | w-4320 |
Translated from the Italian, la rapace means many things: greedy, rapacious, bird of prey, prey. A word that contains so many nuances and contradictions could not be better matched as the title of an illustration in a book of love letters. Love is that unnamable, unknowable thing that stymied even this great artist; Braque is known to have spent years working on this project, perfecting each print. This exquisite work utilizes blocks of color to create a simple, elegant composition. Highlighting the profile of a beautiful woman, Braque surrounds and overlaps her striking profile with whimsical stars and spirals. Given the context of this book of love letters, we can almost imagine this woman as the object of the artist's desire. In addition to its dreamy imagery, the collage-like effect of this intriguing work contributes to its overall charm. This lithograph relays the impression that bits of paper were layered upon one another, for the figures appear to effortlessly glide and float across the surface, seamlessly resting upon and beneath one another.
Created in 1963, this lithograph in seven colors is hand-signed by Georges Braque (Argentueil, Val-d'Oise, 1882 - Paris, 1963) in pencil in the lower right margin. This work is an artist's proof annotated 'H.C.' (hors de commerce) in pencil in the lower left margin, aside from the numbered edition of 75. It is one of 29 color lithographs created for the book by René Char entitled Lettera Amorosa. Published by Edwin Engelberts, Geneva, the edition was printed by Mourlot, Paris.
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
This work 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 final sale of the work.
1. Vallier, Dora. Braque: The Complete Graphics. New York: Gallery Books, 1982. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 187 on pp. 267 and 268.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.
About the Framing:
This work is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas
