Paul Delvaux
Construction d'un Temple en Ruine - Plate n. 5
1972

Name: Construction d'un Temple en Ruine - Plate n. 5
Brand: Paul Delvaux
Price: 963.57 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

Construction d’un temple – Plate n.5 is a b/w original etching and dypoint realized in 1972 (as reported on plate on the lower right margin) by Paul Delvaux. From the collection “Construction d’un temple en ruine à la déesse Vanadé”, this original print came into being from the collaboration of four years among the French author and a member of the Nouveau-Roman group Alain Robbe-Grillet (1922-2008), and the Belgian artist Paul Delvaux (1897-1994). At first, Robbe-Grillet wrote a text, to which Delvaux then replied with a wonderful engraving, Robbe-Grillet then responded with a second text. This is how the building blocks of this beautiful book came together: it was constructed like a temple. The book was printed in an edition of 187 copies, of which only 40 contain the illustrations by Paul Delvaux. Our copy is unnumbered and printed on “Arches” ivory colored paper with the Bateau Lavoir watermark (on the lower right corner), and “Richard Bas” watermark (on the lower left margin). Image dimensions: 31.3 x 44.3 cm This exceptional artwork, representing an interesting composition with a woman depicted like an ancient Greek marble statue in different poses, seems hard to understand for the viewer. In excellent conditions, with a fresh line and a vibrant black: as good as new. Le Bateau Lavoir Published in 1975 by the Parisian "Le Bateau Lavoir", this edition was commissioned by the patron Mira Jacob, a private collector of symbolist-surrealist paintings. She encoraged Paul Delvaux during their first meeting in 1965 to start making lithographs. For this book, the Belgian artist produced many engravings, some of which are dry-points. Paul Delvaux (1897-1994) Well-known for his artworks with female nudes represented as cold marble statues in a dream-like environment, Delvaux’s works are usually referred to as theaters of courtesans. In this print, the female figures are depicted in the foreground. Oblong Shape: This edition from Fequet and Baudrier is striking due to its oblong shape. The text was hand-set by François Da Ros, who produced numerous editions for Fequet and Baudrier between 1964-1978. Da Ros was later appointed as the master-typographer. The engravings were printed on Piero Crommelynck’s engraving press, who was one of Picasso’s favorite engravers. Bibliography: Bénézit 4-424. References: -Z. Barthelman, Paul Delvaux: Odysse van een droom. Sint-Idesbald, Paul Delvaux Stichting, 2007; -Collection Mira Jacob Galerie le Bateau-Lavoir. Paris, Sotheby’s, 2004; -Virginie Devillers, Paul Delvaux: Le théatre des figures. Bruxelles, Editions de l’Université de Bruxelles, 1992; -Hommage à Piero Crommelynck, in: Nouvelles de l’estampe, 178 (2001), p. 72-77; -Christian Milat, Robbe-Grillet: Romancier alchimiste. Ottawa, David, 2001; -Marcel Paquet, Paul Delvaux et l’essence de la peinture. Paris, Edition de la Différence, 1982.

Creator:

Paul Delvaux (1897-1994, Belgian)

Creation Year:

1972

Dimensions:

Height: 15.83 in (40.2 cm)Width: 20.75 in (52.7 cm)Depth: 0.04 in (1 mm)

Medium:

Drypoint,Etching

Movement & Style:

Modern

Period:

1970-1979