By Eduardo Chillida
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite lithograph by Eduardo Chillida (1924–2002), titled Sans titre (Untitled), originates from the 1964 folio Derriere le Miroir, Nos. 144–145–146, L’Hommage a Georges Braque (Tribute to Georges Braque). Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, under the direction of Aime Maeght, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, this composition exemplifies Chillida’s mastery of spatial balance and sculptural abstraction. In Sans titre, Chillida translates his distinctive exploration of mass and void into two dimensions, creating an interplay of dense form and open space that mirrors the structural poetry of his sculpture and a heartfelt tribute to Braque, “Learning to fly down here — to Braque, master, friend, inventor of birds.” The composition conveys a sense of weight and stillness, embodying the meditative precision for which Chillida is renowned.
Executed on velin paper, this lithograph measures 15 x 22 inches (38.1 x 55.9 cm), with centerfold, as issued. Signed in the plate and unnumbered, as issued. The edition captures Chillida’s unique sensitivity to form and rhythm within a printed medium, reflecting the same architectural strength that defines his sculptural practice.
Artwork Details:
Artist: Eduardo Chillida (1924–2002)
Title: Sans titre (Untitled), from Derriere le Miroir, Nos. 144–145–146, L’Hommage a Georges Braque (Tribute to Georges Braque), 1964
Medium: Lithograph on velin paper
Dimensions: 15 x 22 inches (38.1 x 55.9 cm), with centerfold, as issued
Inscription: Signed in the plate and unnumbered, as issued
Date: 1964
Publisher: Maeght Editeur, Paris
Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris
Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium
Provenance: From the 1964 folio Derriere le Miroir, Nos. 144–145–146, published by Maeght Editeur, Paris
Notes:
Excerpted from the folio (translated from French): Taken from this special issue of “Behind the Mirror,” CCCL examples on velin de Rives were numbered, constituting the original edition of L’Hommage a Georges Braque. These deluxe examples also included an etching based on Trois oiseaux sur fond violet. The lithographs for this issue were printed in the ateliers of Maeght Editeur, Levallois. The text was printed by Fequet et Baudier, typographers. Finished printing May 13, 1964.
About the Publication:
Derriere le Miroir (translated as "Behind the Mirror") was an iconic French art periodical published from 1946 to 1982 by Maeght Editeur, one of the most influential art publishers of the 20th century. Founded by Aime Maeght in Paris, the publication was conceived as a visual and literary collaboration between leading modern artists, poets, and critics. Each issue functioned as both an exhibition catalogue and a work of art in itself—featuring original lithographs printed directly from the artists' stones or plates, alongside essays, poems, and critical commentary. Over the course of 36 years, Derriere le Miroir produced more than 250 issues and showcased an extraordinary roster of artists including Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Joan Miro, Georges Braque, Alexander Calder, Fernand Leger, Pierre Bonnard, Alberto Giacometti, Eduardo Chillida, Ellsworth Kelly, Francis Bacon, Paul Rebeyrolle, Claude Garache, Antoni Tapies, Bram van Velde, Pierre Alechinsky, Pol Bury, Shusaku Arakawa, and Gerard Titus-Carmel. Printed in the ateliers of Mourlot, Arte, and Imprimerie Moderne du Lion, the periodical set new standards for quality in color lithography, combining fine art printing with elegant typography and poetic text. Beyond its visual brilliance, Derriere le Miroir also became a cultural chronicle of postwar European modernism. Each issue coincided with exhibitions held at Galerie Maeght, providing a collectible and widely accessible record of groundbreaking shows. Its integration of image, text, and philosophy created a dialogue between art and literature that elevated the modern art book to new aesthetic heights. Today, Derriere le Miroir remains one of the most sought-after and historically significant art publications, prized by collectors and scholars alike for its craftsmanship, influence, and its role in defining the visual language of 20th-century modernism. The Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence continues to honor this legacy through exhibitions and archival preservation of the series, affirming Derriere le Miroir's enduring place in the history of modern art and fine art publishing.
About the Artist:
Eduardo Chillida (1924–2002) was a Spanish Basque sculptor and printmaker internationally celebrated for his monumental abstract works that explore the interplay between form, space, and material. Renowned for his mastery of iron, steel, stone, and concrete, Chillida created sculptural compositions that evoke both architectural strength and poetic balance, reflecting his lifelong dialogue between the physical and the spiritual. Emerging in postwar Europe, his art stands alongside that of the great modern masters—Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Georges Braque, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray—whose revolutionary approaches to form and perception shaped 20th-century art. Chillida’s work embodies a profound sense of harmony, rooted in the landscapes and philosophies of his native Basque Country, while maintaining a universal resonance. Exhibited internationally and collected by major institutions including MoMA, the Guggenheim, the Tate, and the Centre Pompidou, his sculptures and works on paper continue to command global acclaim. The highest price ever paid for an Eduardo Chillida artwork is approximately $4.1 million USD, achieved in 2022 at Christie’s Paris for Buscando la Luz IV (2001).
Eduardo Chillida Sans titre, Chillida Derriere le Miroir, Chillida Maeght...
Category
1960s Modern Art