Artist: Henri LAURENS (1885-1954)Title: Untitled, 1955Technique and support: Wood on paperType of work : Original print monogrammed "HL" by hand by the artist in pencil at the bottom left, monogrammed "HL" in the plate and numbered III/IV. This work is an additional wide-margined edition of illustration 14 of the tribute book to Eluard "a poem in each book" published in 1956 in 120 copies. In the book illustration 14 is positioned next to Paul Eluard's poem "Les mains libre" (1937). The work comes from the album called "Album A", Reprinted from the book in 20 copies. Each album contains, like the book, 16 prints (including this work by Henri Laurens) but they were printed with wide margins and unlike the prints in the book, all signed or monogrammed by the artists. The album we have was the property of the publisher Louis BRODER. It stands out from the others because it is enriched in addition to the 16 large-margined illustrations with many other prints collected by the publisher throughout his collaboration with the artists on this book.Dimensions: 32 x 46.5 cm (image 17 x 30.5 cm)Condition: GoodProvenance: Genevieve and Jean Paul Kahn collection
Expert's comment : In progress
The Album and the Book :
Explanatory photo 1: Comparison between Album A offprint of "a poem in each book" printed in 20 copies and the book "a poem in each book" printed in 120 copies. Explanatory photo 2: Album A offprint of 20 copies having belonged to the publisher Louis Broder contained in a gray canvas box with a label stuck on the back and the first cover. Explanatory photo 3: Proof of printing of Album A which indicates the maximum number of copies of prints contained in total in the 20 albums as well as the names of the artists. It is annotated in red pencil "Editor's copy B" because it belonged to Louis Broder. Explanatory photo 4: Original print signed and printed with wide margins by Pablo Picasso , contained in album A Explanatory photo 5: Original print signed and printed with large margins by Max Ernst, contained in album A Explanatory photo 6: Book "a poem in each book" printed in 120 copies, containing the 16 prints unsigned by the artists (signatures on the proof of printing of the book) Explanatory photo 7: Print by Pablo Picasso on double page, unsigned contained in the book "a poem in each book" Explanatory photo 8: Print by Max Ernst unsigned contained in the book "a poem in each book"
To discover in pictures the history of Album A and the rare prints it contains, click on the video below !
VIDEO
Biography of the artist : Henri Laurens, born February 18, 1885 in Paris, is a French cubist sculptor, painter, draftsman and engraver. In 1899, he studied drawing and the influence of Auguste Rodin is noticeable in his works. It was in 1911, attracted by the group of artists in Montparnasse, that he began to sculpt in the cubist style. His work influences big names such as Pablo Picasso , but also Georges Braque. From 1917, he produced etchings, drypoints, but also woodcuts, as well as lithographs, from 1950.
History of the book and the album : We advise you to read our blog "THE ALBUM OF LOUIS BRODER: A LEGENDARY PORTFOLIO".
About Paul ELUARD : We advise you to read our blog "PAUL ELUARD: THE CHOSEN ONE OF THE ART" .