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Le Courtisan grotesque

Creator: Joan Miró
Offered by: Shapero Gallery

Description
MIRO, JOAN; ILIAZD (ILIA ZDANEVICTH); MONLUC, ADRIEN DE.
Le Courtisan grotesque.
Stock Code 107029
Paris, Le Degré Quarante et Un, 1974
£22,500
Complete portfolio comprising 15 etchings with aquatint and the original illustrated vellum wrapper. Signed by Miro and Ilizad.

Le Courtisan Grotesque was a real labour of love between two titans of Livres d'Artistes. Ilizad originally approached Miro with the idea of publishing an unknown text by the 17th century author Adrien de Monluc in 1951 and the pair agreed to start work on the project in the autumn of 1953. It was repeatedly postponed, not due to inactivity but the fact that both men believed a book must have all the dignity of a sculpture carved in marble and therefore did not rush the production. Iliazd wrote to Miro in 1961 complaining that he had been waiting 10 years for the engravings and yet it wasn't until more than ten years later that the final book was in their hands. The result was a masterful combination of the two artist's and lyrical styles. Le Courtisan Grotesque would be Ilizad's last illustrated work.

The present example is inscribed by Miro to Marguerite Benhoura, who managed the production of his prints at Galerie Maeght. The inscription reads ''Pour Marguerite l'ange Bienveillant de mes gravures
De tout cœur. 26.XII.73 Miró'. (For Marrguerite the benevloent angel of my engravings with all my heart. 26.XII.73 Miró'.)

Description
Limited edition, signed presentation copy with a large embellished inscription in pencil on the upper fly-leaf to Marguerite Benhoura, also signed by Miro and Iliazd in pencil on the justification, un-numbered copy on Auvergne, from a total edition of 110; folio (44 x 32.5 cm); 16 illustrations in colour after Miro, 15 of which are etchings with aquatint, out of text and double-page, one being a drypoint with aquatint on the cover, text in French, loose as issued, some minor off-setting; unbound with the original vellum wrapper illustrated by Miro with large flaps, in the orginal firbous brown paper folder, an excellent example.

Bibliography
Cramer, 182.

Stock ID:107029

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Origin:	France
Period:	1950-1979
Creation Date:	1974
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Dealer Reference #:	107029
Incollect Reference #:	579078

Message from Seller:

Shapero Gallery Located in the heart of Mayfair, London, Shapero Gallery specializes in prints and original works on paper, ranging from antique prints to modern pochoir plates and photography. For inquiries, contact us at +44.207.493.0876 or gallery@shapero.com.

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