Tęte de Jeune Fille - Head of a Girl by Georges Braque, 1882-1963

Georges Braque, 1882-1963
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Tęte de Jeune Fille - Head of a Girl

Original lithograph in colours, overworked by Braque by hand with a glazed two-tone brown varnish-wash (each impression is thus different in effect, and unique). 1951. Signed in pencil. Numbered in pencil from the edition of 39 impressions only (35/39). Printed at the studio of Mourlot. Issued by Galerie Maeght, Paris 1951. Rare.
Ref: Vallier - Braque L'Oeuvre Gravé 68. Mourlot 23.

Excellent very strong impression with an effective two-tone wash-varnish. On light pale cream wove paper. Generally excellent condition; a very minor nick in the right margin repaired, and slight traces of old tape hinges upper edge. The reverse of the sheet with discolouration from the
varnish, as in every impression. The image virtually to full sheet size. Sheet: 12 1/2 x 9 7/8ins. (318x250mm)

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This beautiful image was drawn in line lithography in black and then over-worked by hand by Braque with a brush dipped into a liquid varnish. The tones of the varnish in creamy brown and dark grey add plasticity and a glowing quality of surface to the form. Each impression from the small edition of the lithograph (39 impressions) was 'painted' in a slightly different way by Braque so that each is in effect unique.

Tęte de Jeune Fille was drawn by Braque right at the beginning of the 1950's. At this date, when the post-war peace was really fully established, Braque, like Picasso, entered one of the most fulfilling periods of his art. His work had a new quality of relaxation and enjoyment and peace and the realisation of the eternal beauty of life itself became a central message of his painting. It was in this atmosphere that he began to use some Classical inspiration in his forms. The perfection and 'flow' of line in this image have that quality of classical beauty which marks some of Braque's finest drawing of the post-war years.