Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

Georges Rouault
Des Ongles et Du Bec (abstract female portrait)

1948

About the Item

Artist Georges Rouault (1871, France - 1958, France) Main title "Des ongles et du bec" Etching and aquatint on wove paper. Creation date 1926 / 1948 Publisher: Etoile Filante, Paris Is part of the set: Miserere Portfolio (Dissociable set of artworks). Portfolio of one hundred and twenty-four elements including fifty-eight plates in a box. Canvas casing with a copper clasp and text printed on the edge. 1948 Etching and aquatint on wove paper. 25 3/5 × 19 9/10 inches (plate) 25.2 x 30.2 inches framed Techniques Eau-forte et aquatinte sur papier vélin d'Arches Edition of 450 prints, belonging to the suite “Miserere”, considered as the most important religious graphic work of XX century. The single prints, realized with a sophisticated mixed technique, were designed between 1916 and 1927, and finally published as a suite in 1948. Vintage water gilt gold leaf frame produced by Brentano's, NYC. The artist's preface to the complete portfolio set reads as follows: Preface by Georges Rouault, 1948 “I dedicate this work to my master, Gustave Moreau, and to my valiant and beloved mother who with unstinting patience watched over and aided my early efforts when I wandered at the crossroads, an ill-equipped young pilgrim of art. Let me add that both, in their own way, were endowed with the same smiling and encouraging nature, seldom found in these times of bitterness and offense in which we seem to live today. Most of the subjects date from 1914-1918. They were first executed in the form of drawings in India ink, and later transformed into paintings in at the request of Ambroise Vollard. He then had all the subjects transferred on to copper. It was desirable, apparently, that the copper should first receive the impression of my drawing. From that point on, I painstakingly tried to preserve the initial rhythm and draughtsmanship. On each plate, more or less felicitously, without ceasing or pausing, I worked with different tools; there is no secret about my methods. Never satisfied, I resumed each subject endlessly, sometimes in as many as twelve or fifteen successive states; I should have liked them all to be of equal quality. I readily admit that I became attached to them, and that I was not insensitive to the desire of an American ambassador who wished to have some of the copper plates plated with gold and set in the wall at the embassy. The impressions, which I carefully supervised, were completed in 1927, and later Ambroise Vollard had the plates cancelled. After waiting twenty long years for their publication, which was delayed for various circumstances, I was fortunate enough to recover the engravings in 1947, and entrusted their publication to the Etoile Filante in Paris. It was planned that Andre Suares should write an accompanying text, unfortunately he was unable to do so. The death of Ambroise Vollard, the war, the occupation and its consequences, and finally my lawsuit were all the causes of indefinite delay. Though ever hopeful, there have been dark times when I despaired that these engravings, to which I have always attached a great significance, would ever be published. I rejoice that this has come to pass before I vanish from this planet. If injustice has been shown toward Ambroise Vollard, let us agree that he had taste and a passion for making beautiful books, regardless of time; but it would have taken three centuries to complete the various works and paintings with which, in utter disregard of earthly limitations, he wished to burden the pilgrim. Form, color, harmony Oasis or mirage For the eyes, the heart, and the spirit Toward the moving ocean of pictorial appeal “Tomorrow will be beautiful,” said the shipwrecked man Before he disappeared beneath the sullen horizon Peace seems never to reign Over this anguished world Of shams and shadows Jesus on the cross will tell you better than I Jeanne in her brief and sublime replies at her trial As well as other saints and martyrs Obscure or consecrated Paris 1948 Georges Rouault”
More From This SellerView All
  • Malach
    By Jerome Kaplan
    Located in Wilton Manors, FL
    Jerome Kaplan (1920-1997). Malach (Angel), 1952. Lithograph on wove paper. Image measures 15 x 19 inches; 23 x 28 inches in custom shadowbox frame with custom beveled linen matting. ...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Abstract Abstract Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • Dark Landscape (abstract expressionist)
    By Gabor F. Peterdi
    Located in Wilton Manors, FL
    Gabor Peterdi (1915-2001). Dark Landscape, 1958. Etching, engraving and aquatint with five stenciled colors. Image measures 20 x 24 inches. Signed, date...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Abstract Expressionist Abstract Prints

    Materials

    Engraving, Etching, Aquatint

  • Provence #7 (Provence France Landscape)
    By Roger Mühl
    Located in Wilton Manors, FL
    Roger Muhl (1929-2008) Provence #7, 1986. Signed and numbered in pencil by the artist, lower margins. Artwork is in excellent condition with no damage or conservation. Frame shows ...
    Category

    1980s Abstract Landscape Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • Recent Still Life RISD exhibition poster
    By Jasper Johns
    Located in Wilton Manors, FL
    Jasper Johns (b. 1930): Recent Still Life Lithograph in black on wove paper, 1966, signed and dated '2016' in ink. 34 1/2 x 19 3/4 in. (sheet), 36 1/2 x 21 1/2 in. (frame). Provenance: Property from the Collection of Tom Levine...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Abstract Abstract Prints

    Materials

    Paper, Lithograph

  • Jean Dubuffet 1970 Exhibition Poster
    By Jean Dubuffet
    Located in Wilton Manors, FL
    Jean DUBUFFET Two characters, 1970 Original lithograph poster for the exhibition "the logological cabinet" in 1970 at the Centre National d'Art Contemporain Dimensions: 69 x 48 cm
    Category

    1970s Abstract Abstract Prints

    Materials

    Lithograph

  • Antonio Frasconi mid-century exhibition poster (Puerto Rican artist)
    By Lorenzo Homar
    Located in Wilton Manors, FL
    Rare exhibition poster by Puerto Rican artist, Lorenzo Homar (1913-2004). Grabados de Antonio Frasconi, 1965. Screen print poster on paper. Minor w...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Abstract Abstract Prints

    Materials

    Screen

You May Also Like
  • UNTITLED
    By Sam Francis
    Located in Aventura, FL
    Hand signed and numbered etching and aquatint on wove paper. Edition of 40. Image size 23.875 x 18 inches. Sheet size 33.5 x 27 inches. Custom framed as pictured. Frame has some random scratches. Blindstamp of the publisher, The Litho Shop, Santa Monica, printed by Jacob Samuel...
    Category

    1980s Abstract Abstract Prints

    Materials

    Paper, Etching, Aquatint

  • Untitled: Male and Female Clowns Dancing (Edition 59/150)
    Located in New York, NY
    Unknown/ Unidentified Artist, "Untitled: Male and Female Clowns Dancing", Abstract Figurative Etching numbered and signed in Pencil, 27 x 19.50, Late 20th Century Colors: Black Blue...
    Category

    Late 20th Century Abstract Abstract Prints

    Materials

    Etching, Aquatint

  • La Cirquera
    By Rufino Tamayo
    Located in New York, NY
    A very good impression of this color aquatint. One of 15 numbered hors commerce impressions. Signed and numbered "HC 5/15" in black crayon by Tamayo. Printed and published by Edicion...
    Category

    1980s Abstract Abstract Prints

    Materials

    Color, Aquatint

  • "Haarlem" Aquatint Etching on Paper
    By Johnny Friedlaender
    Located in Soquel, CA
    Bold abstract aquatint by Johnny Friedlaender (Polish-French, 1912-1992). Comprised of two main sections, this piece is full of detail and texture. The upper layer is a reddish tan, whereas the bottom layer is a rich brown. Geometrical shapes are arranged such that they almost form mirror images of each other, but vary enough to create interest and a sense of movement. Signed in the lower right corner. Numbered 56/350 in the lower left corner. Includes original certificate of authenticity. Presented in a new cream mat with foamcore backing. Mat size: 42"H x 32"W Paper size: 33.75"H x 24.5"W Johnny Friedlaender was a leading 20th century artist, whose works have been exhibited in Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Japan and the United States. He has been influential upon other notable artists, who were students in his Paris gallery. His preferred medium of aquatint etching is a technically difficult artistic process, of which Friedlaender has been a pioneer. Johnny Gotthard Friedlaender was born in Pless (Silesia) and his early studies were in Breslau under Otto Mueller. In 1936 Friedlaender journeyed to Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Austria, France and Belgium. At the Hague he held a successful exhibition of etchings and watercolours. He fled to Paris in 1937 as a political refugee of the Nazi regime with his young wife, who was an actress. In that year he held an exhibition of his etchings which included the works: L 'Equipe and Matieres et Formes. From 1939 to 1943 he was interned in a series of concentration camps, but survived against poor odds. After freedom in 1944 Friedlaender began a series of twelve etchings entitled Images du Malheur with Sagile as his publisher. In the same year he received a commission to illustrate four books by Freres Tharaud of the French Academy. In 1945 he performed work for several newspapers including Cavalcade and Carrefour. In the year 1947, he produced the work Reves Cosmiques, and in that same year he became a member of the Salon de Mai, which position he held until 1969. In the year 1948 he began a friendship with the painter Nicolas de Stael and held his first exhibition in Copenhagen at Galerie Birch. The following year he showed for the first time in Galerie La Hune in Paris. After living in Paris for 13 years, Friedlaender became a French citizen in 1950. Friedlaender expanded his geographic scope in 1951, and exhibited in Tokyo in a modern art show. In the same year he was a participant in the XI Trienale in Milan, Italy. By 1953 he had produced works for a one-man show at the Museum of Neuchâtel and exhibited at the Galerie Moers in Amsterdam, the II Camino Gallery in Rome, in São Paulo, Brazil and in Paris. He was a participant of the French Italian Art Conference in Turin, Italy that same year. Friedlaender accepted an international art award in 1957, becoming the recipient of the Biennial Kakamura Prize in Tokyo. In 1959 he received a teaching post awarded by UNESCO at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro. By 1968, Friedlaender was travelling to Puerto Rico, New York and Washington, D.C. to hold exhibitions. That year he also purchased a home in the Burgundy region of France. 1971 was another year of diverse international travel including shows in Bern, Milan, Paris, Krefeld and again New York. In the latter city he exhibited paintings at the Far Gallery, a venue becoming well known for its patronage of important twentieth century artists. From his atelier in Paris Friedlaender instructed younger artists who themselves went on to become noteworthy, among them Arthur Luiz Piza, Brigitte Coudrain, Rene Carcan...
    Category

    1970s Abstract Geometric Abstract Prints

    Materials

    Paper, Etching, Aquatint

  • Mondhaubentanz - Male and Female Clowns Dancing (Edition 59/150)
    Located in New York, NY
    Alfred Finsterer (1908-1996, German), "Mondhaubentanz - Male and Female Clowns Dancing", Abstract Figurative Etching numbered and signed in Pencil, 27 x 19.50, Late 20th Century Col...
    Category

    Late 20th Century Abstract Abstract Prints

    Materials

    Etching, Aquatint

  • Iranian Israeli Large Aquatint Etching Figurative Abstract Circus Monde Balloons
    By Elie (Eliahu) Abrahami
    Located in Surfside, FL
    Bright colorful abstract circus scene with balloons. Born in 1941 in Sanandaj, Iran and immigrated to Israel at the age of 17. Elie Abrahami began his study of art at the Avni School...
    Category

    20th Century Abstract Figurative Prints

    Materials

    Aquatint

Recently Viewed

View All