Héraclite 1948 by Georges Braque, 1882-1963

Georges Braque, 1882-1963
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Héraclite 1948

Original etching in blue-grey ink. 1948. Signed in pencil. Numbered in pencil from the very rare separate edition of 7 impressions only, in differing colours. The issued edition was 25 impressions in black or ochre ink. Etched by Braque to accompany the album: Héraclite d'Ephèse. Issued by Cahiers d'Art, Paris 1948. Extremely rare.
Ref: Vallier - Braque L'Oeuvre Gravée no 42.
Provenance: French Private Collection bought in the 1960's.

Beautiful tonal impression with blue-grey coloured ink tone. On pale cream laid paper. Excellent condition; the faintest trace of old mounting. Small margins, as printed.
Sheet: 7 5/8 x 4 5/8 inch. Plate: overall 5 1/8 x 2 5/8inch. (130x68mm)

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This extremely rare miniature etching by Braque dates from the height of his inspiration in the 1940's from motifs derived from classical art and Etruscan wall-painting. The combination of patterns of arbitrary shading and the quality of a 'hieroglyph' in the actual handling of the drawing strokes creates a sense of stylised movement and surface which has a unique beauty. The use of these classical or ancient motifs marks a further step in Braque's search for ways of evoking the three dimensions of space, surface and plane within the two dimensions of a canvas or sheet of paper which had begun with his development of Cubism in the first decade of the century.

This etching was only issued in a tiny edition. This impression is one of just seven impressions in blue-green ink. Although miniature in scale it has a special quality of compelling and jewel-like fascination.

The inspiration for this image came from the ancient classical text of Heraclitus, to which Braque was introduced by his close friend the writer and poet René Char.