Le Comptoir. The Counter. by Louis Marcoussis, 1883-1941

Louis Marcoussis, 1883-1941
Scroll down for information.
Click here to return to the list.

Le Comptoir. The Counter.

Original etching, with aquatint and drypoint in black-brown ink. 1920. Signed in pencil. Signed and dated in the plate. From the edition of 125 impressions issued for the album 'Die Scaffenden'. Published by G.Kiepenhauer, Weimar 1922.
Ref: Milet - Marcoussis l'Oeuvre Gravé no 35, as completed.
Note: Although in the completed state the exceptionally rich impression & absence of the blindstamp may indicate a proof

Superb extremely rich tonal impression. On pale cream wove paper. Exceptionally fine fresh condition, never previously mounted or framed. Full margins. Sheet: 16 1/4 x 12 1/8ins. Plate: 7 3/8 x 5 5/8ins (188x142mm)

This item is sold.
Click here to enquire about this item.

'Le Comptoir - The Bar Counter' is one of the most important compositions in printmaking from the period of Synthetic Cubism. It shows the full brilliance of the manner in which Marcoussis exploited the qualities of the etching medium, line tone and texture, to emphasise how the pattern of the arrangement of forms, of their shapes and surfaces, together with linear outline, could be used to create the abstract concept of space and plane which is the central motif of Synthetic Cubism.

In the first period of Cubism, as expressed by Braque and Picasso for example, an angular treatment of forms was used to evoke structure and movement. A chosen motif was deliberately broken down into an arrangement of shapes. In the second period of Cubism, known as Synthetic Cubism, staring from about 1912, materials and objects were deliberately placed together in order to create an expression of space, a 'cubist motif' - i.e.. the development of the composition was external rather than internal. Marcoussis was one of the great exponents of this second cubist phases. Born in Poland he had moved to Paris in 1903. Early on he met De la Fresnaye, and then Picasso and Braque. In 1911 he contributed to the first of the Synthetic Cubist exhibitions - the so-called 'Section d'Or'. In 1919, after the end of the First War he returned to Paris to play a major part in the 1920 'Section d'Or' show.

'Le Comptoir' was etched at the time of this 'Section d'Or' show in 1920. It sums up the ideas of this development of Cubism. A man stands at the bar counter, paper under his arm, the sign for 'Vins' seen beyond. These elements are then broken down into shapes which express space and light, and other forms, some random some figurative, as well as textures and interacting patterns of lines, are added to complete the balance of the 'pattern' and thus to fully express the idea of the space.

The etching was issued in the only edition in the portfolio Die Schaffenden in 1922. This impression has a sparkling freshness and depth of ink tone.