Palette de Nuages - Masque. Cloud Palette - Mask. by Jean (Hans) Arp, 1887-1966

Jean (Hans) Arp, 1887-1966
Scroll down for information.
Click here to return to the list.

Palette de Nuages - Masque. Cloud Palette - Mask.

Original woodcut in black ink. 1950. Signed in pencil. Very rare signed proof printed direct from the woodblock in black ink. Before the edition in blue ink issued for Derrière le Miroir, 1950. Ref: Arntz 132a.

Excellent hand-printed proof impression. On pale cream light wove paper. Generally excellent condition; the very slightest signs of old mount hinges on the reverse. Sheet:
16 3/4x12 7/8ins. Block: 11 7/8x9 5/8ins. (300x245mm).

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

An extremely rare proof, printed direct from the block cut by Arp, rather than by transfer as was the regular issue. The sensuous form and suggestion of a Surrealist-influenced dream-inspired quasi-animal shape are characteristic of the earliest prints that Arp made in the first period after the War. These early prints are very rare, especially in the first directly hand-printed proofs of the woodcuts. The powerful but emotional simplicity of the form, using the imperfections in the grain of the block, shows why Arp?s prints of this era are amongst the most emotive graphic works of any sculptor of this date.