Braque, La vague, Varengeville (after)

1968

This exquisite lithograph by Fernand Leger (1881–1955), titled L’Eau (Water), from Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. I, No. 1, originates from the 1937 issue published by Editions de la revue Verve, Paris, under the direction of Teriade, Editeur, Paris, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, 1937. This vibrant composition embodies Leger’s fascination with the elemental forces of nature reinterpreted through the lens of modernity. L’Eau reflects his ongoing exploration of the harmony between mechanical precision and organic movement, transforming the natural motif of flowing water into an abstract symphony of curves, color, and rhythm. Through its interplay of form and line, the work reveals Leger’s mastery of balance and visual dynamism—an artistic celebration of motion and modern life. Executed as a lithograph on velin du Marais paper, this work measures 14 x 10.5 inches (35.56 x 26.67 cm). Signed in the plate and unnumbered as issued. The edition reflects the superior craftsmanship of the Mourlot Freres atelier, celebrated for its collaborations with the leading modern artists of the 20th century. Artwork Details: Artist: Fernand Leger (1881–1955) Title: L’Eau (Water), from Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. I, No. 1, 1937 Medium: Lithograph on velin du Marais paper Dimensions: 14 x 10.5 inches (35.56 x 26.67 cm) Inscription: Signed in the plate and unnumbered as issued Date: 1937 Publisher: Editions de la revue Verve, Paris, under the direction of Teriade, Editeur, Paris Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. I, No. 1, published by Editions de la revue Verve, Paris, 1937 About the Publication: Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire was one of the most influential art periodicals of the 20th century, founded in Paris in 1937 by the visionary Greek-born publisher Teriade (Stratis Eleftheriades). Designed as a meeting point of art, poetry, and philosophy, Verve united the era’s greatest modern artists—including Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Georges Braque, Joan Miro, and Fernand Leger—with leading intellectuals such as Paul Eluard and Albert Camus. Printed by the master lithographers Mourlot Freres, each issue was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, presenting original lithographs alongside literary works in a richly designed format. The inaugural issue, Vol. I, No. 1, published in 1937, marked a defining moment in the history of modern art publishing—introducing the vision of Verve as a beacon of artistic collaboration and aesthetic excellence that would shape the visual culture of the 20th century. About the Artist: Fernand Leger (1881–1955) was a visionary French painter, sculptor, designer, and filmmaker whose groundbreaking fusion of modern industry, vivid color, and geometric form transformed the course of 20th-century art. Born in Argentan, Normandy, Leger began as an architectural draftsman before studying at the Academie Julian and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he absorbed the lessons of Paul Cezanne’s structural rigor and the revolutionary ideas of Cubism. Alongside Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, he became one of the leading innovators of the avant-garde, yet his work stood apart through its embrace of mechanical rhythm, bold contrasts, and industrial modernity—earning him the title “the painter of the machine age.” His art celebrated the beauty of technology, urban life, and the human form rendered in dynamic, interlocking cylinders and planes, evoking the pulse of the modern world. Immersed in the vibrant Parisian art scene, Leger worked in dialogue with peers and contemporaries such as Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, all of whom shared his commitment to innovation and the reimagining of artistic expression. Beyond painting, Leger’s creative reach extended into film, design, and monumental public art—his 1924 collaboration on Ballet Mecanique with Dudley Murphy and Man Ray remains a landmark of avant-garde cinema. His later works evolved toward greater clarity and monumentality, celebrating the unity of form, color, and humanity through large-scale murals and mosaics that bridged fine art and architecture. Leger’s synthesis of Cubism, Futurism, and abstraction paved the way for movements such as Pop Art and influenced generations of artists including Roy Lichtenstein, Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Indiana, and Alexander Calder, who admired his fusion of structure, energy, and optimism. Today, his works are prized by major museums and collectors worldwide for their bold visual power and enduring modernity. His highest auction record was achieved by La femme en rouge et vert (1914), which sold for $39,241,000 at Sotheby’s, New York, on May 7, 2008. Fernand Leger L’Eau, Leger Verve, Leger Mourlot...

This exquisite lithograph by Georges Braque (1882–1963), titled La Charrue (The Plow), originates from the 1960 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 119, Poetes, peintres, sculpteurs (Poets...

This exquisite lithograph and pochoir after Georges Braque (1882–1963), titled Etude pour un oiseau (Study for a Bird), from the album Georges Braque, Le Solitaire (The Solitary), or...

This exquisite lithograph and pochoir after Georges Braque (1882–1963), titled Le canard (The Duck), from the album Georges Braque, Le Solitaire (The Solitary), originates from the 1...

This exquisite lithograph and pochoir after Georges Braque (1882–1963), titled Forme (Form), from the album Georges Braque, Le Solitaire (The Solitary), originates from the 1959 edit...

This exquisite lithograph and pochoir after Georges Braque (1882–1963), titled Oiseau au couchant (Bird at Sunset), from the album Georges Braque, Le Solitaire (The Solitary), originates from the 1959 edition published by XXe siecle, Paris, in collaboration with Fernand Hazan, Paris; rendered by Daniel Jacomet, Paris; and printed by Daniel Jacomet et Cie, Paris, 1959. Oiseau au couchant (Bird at Sunset) reflects Braque’s meditative engagement with the motif of the bird—an enduring symbol of transcendence, freedom, and poetic solitude in his mature work. Through simplified form and muted harmony, the composition evokes the quiet passage of twilight, translating nature’s fleeting beauty into a timeless visual poem. Braque’s masterful integration of geometric abstraction with lyrical rhythm captures the balance between motion and stillness, light and silence. Executed as a lithograph and pochoir on velin d’Arches paper, this work measures 7.25 x 9.375 inches. Unsigned and unnumbered as issued. The edition exemplifies the technical excellence of Daniel Jacomet et Cie, Paris, produced in close collaboration with XXe siecle and Fernand Hazan, Paris. Artwork Details: Artist: After Georges Braque (1882–1963) Title: Oiseau au couchant (Bird at Sunset), from the album Georges Braque, Le Solitaire (The Solitary), 1959 Medium: Lithograph and pochoir on velin d’Arches paper Dimensions: 7.25 x 9.375 inches (18.42 x 23.81 cm) Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered as issued Date: 1959 Publisher: XXe siecle, Paris, in collaboration with Fernand Hazan, Paris Printer: Daniel Jacomet et Cie, Paris Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From the album Georges Braque, Le Solitaire, published by XXe siecle, Paris, in collaboration with Fernand Hazan, Paris; rendered by Daniel Jacomet, Paris; and printed by Daniel Jacomet et Cie, Paris, 1959 Notes: Excerpted from the album (translated from French): XXX examples of this work were printed on Arches paper, containing an original engraving by Georges Braque, numbered from I to XXX. CM examples, constituting the original edition, including CCC for F. Hazan, publisher in Paris, CCC for A. Zwemmer, publisher in London, and CCC for the New York Graphic Society, LX examples, marked H.C., are reserved for the Author and the Publisher. About the Publication: Georges Braque, Le Solitaire (The Solitary) was published in Paris in 1959 by XXe siecle in collaboration with Fernand Hazan and printed by the Atelier Daniel Jacomet et Cie. Conceived as both a visual and literary homage to one of the founding figures of Cubism, the volume represents one of the most refined art book productions of the postwar era. The publication was issued in conjunction with the journal XXe siecle, under the direction of G. di San Lazzaro, a central figure in promoting modern art through his collaborations with artists such as Picasso, Miro, Chagall, and Calder. Le Solitaire brought together Braque’s mature reflections on nature, still life, and metaphysical quietude, accompanied by critical essays and reproductions of his work. The pochoir and lithographic plates—executed by Daniel Jacomet, whose atelier was renowned for its exceptional color pochoirs—capture the texture and tonal depth of Braque’s original paintings with rare precision. About the Artist: Georges Braque (1882–1963) was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker whose pioneering vision transformed the course of 20th-century art. A central figure in modernism and the co-founder of Cubism alongside Pablo Picasso, Braque redefined visual perception by breaking objects into geometric forms and reassembling them from multiple perspectives, creating a new visual language that bridged the gap between abstraction and reality. His early work was influenced by the vibrant colors and expressive energy of the Fauvist painters Henri Matisse and Andre Derain, before evolving toward the more analytical and structured compositions inspired by Paul Cezanne’s theories of form and perspective. Braque’s collaboration with Picasso between 1908 and 1914 marked one of the most fertile and revolutionary periods in art history, resulting in works that challenged traditional notions of space, depth, and illusion. Throughout his career, Braque maintained a deep interest in harmony, rhythm, and balance, infusing his still lifes, landscapes, and later reliefs with poetic subtlety and intellectual rigor. He moved among a brilliant circle of contemporaries including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Juan Gris, Fernand Leger, and Amedeo Modigliani—artists united in their pursuit of new modes of artistic expression. Braque’s influence extended well beyond his own era, shaping the creative approaches of later modernists such as Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, all of whom drew inspiration from his structural innovations and aesthetic integrity. His works are held in major museum collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, the Tate, and the Guggenheim, where they continue to embody the essence of modern artistic thought and visual poetry. The highest price ever paid for a Georges Braque artwork is approximately 15 million USD, achieved in 2013 at Christie’s New York for Paysage a la Ciotat (1907). Georges Braque Oiseau...

This exquisite lithograph after Georges Braque (1882–1963), titled Paysage a l’Estaque (Landscape at L’Estaque), originates from the 1964 folio Derriere le Miroir, Nos. 144–145–146, ...

This exquisite lithograph after Georges Braque (1882–1963), titled Le Char (The Chariot), originates from the 1964 folio Derriere le Miroir, Nos. 144–145–146, L’Hommage a Georges Bra...

This exquisite lithograph after Jacques Villon (1875–1963), titled Intimite (Intimacy), from the album Prints from the Mourlot Press, exhibition sponsored by the French Embassy, circ...

This exquisite lithograph after Georges Braque (1882–1963), titled Oiseaux de nuit (Night Birds), from the album Prints from the Mourlot Press, exhibition sponsored by the French Embassy, circulated by the Traveling Exhibition Service of the National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution 1964–1965, originates from the 1964 edition published by Fernand Mourlot, Paris, in collaboration with the Embassy of France, Washington, D.C., and the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, October 27, 1964. This lithograph exemplifies Braque’s poetic exploration of form, balance, and symbolism, merging Cubist structure with lyrical abstraction. In Oiseaux de nuit, the recurring motif of the bird—one of Braque’s most personal and spiritual symbols—embodies freedom, transcendence, and harmony between nature and imagination. Executed as a lithograph on velin d'Arches paper, this work measures 10 x 7.5 inches. Unsigned and unnumbered as issued. The edition exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of Mourlot Freres and reflects Braque’s ability to fuse structural clarity with lyrical mystery. Artwork Details: Artist: After Georges Braque (1882–1963) Title: Oiseaux de nuit (Night Birds), from the album Prints from the Mourlot Press Medium: Lithograph on velin d'Arches paper Dimensions: 10 x 7.5 inches (25.4 x 19.05 cm) Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered as issued Date: 1964 Publisher: Fernand Mourlot, Paris, in collaboration with the Embassy of France, Washington, D.C., and the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From the album Prints from the Mourlot Press, published by Fernand Mourlot, Paris, 1964 Notes: Excerpted from the album, This exhibition is a manifestation of Franco-American friendship and we would be very happy if it is of interest to all those who visit it. I wish to thank Mrs. Annemarie Pope for proposing and organizing this exhibition of the work of the artists who have used our press. We are honored that Mr. Herve Alphand, Ambassador of France to the United States, and Mr. Edouard Morot-Sir, Cultural Counsellor at the French Embassy in New York, will sponsor this exhibition. I express to them my thanks and appreciation. As for the artists themselves, who executed the originals contained in this catalogue, I can only say simply, "Thank you." They are all friends. We would have liked to include not just the twenty-four illustrations in this small book, but many more. During the year 1963, we lost three great artists who were faithful friends of our press. Thanks to Mrs. Georges Braque, Mr. Louis Carre, and Mr. Edouard Dermit, who have been able to pay our respects to Georges Braque, Jacques Villon and Jean Cocteau. The great Henri Matisse is also with us, since Mrs. Du-thuit-Matisse and her brothers have allowed us to use an unpublished original lithograph. Thanks to them all for their generosity. —Fernand Mourlot. The lithography at Mourlot printing press by Jean Adhemar, Curator of prints at the Bibliotheque nationale. Acknowledgments, Fernand Mourlot has long been the acknowledged master printer of France in every field, from lithographs to fine books to posters. The unfailing quality of his work commands the respect of museums, collectors, and most important of all, the artists themselves. Every product of his workshop bears the mark of Mourlot's discipline and craft and can truly be called an ideal collaboration between artist and artisan. The result of years of thoughtful planning, this special exhibition presents an accurate portrait of the Mourlot Press. We are greatly indebted to Fernand Mourlot, who made the selection, supervised the production of the catalogue, and gave endless time and energy to the details of preparation. This album was finished in Paris on 27th October 1964. The original lithographs and the reproductions were printed on the presses of Mourlot. The Imprimerie Nationale, Director Andre Brignole, was responsible for the typography. The edition has been limited to MM examples on Velin d'Arches and CC on Velin de Rives, reserved for the artists, the staff and the friends of the Imprimerie Mourlot. About the Publication: Prints from the Mourlot Press, published in Paris by Fernand Mourlot in 1964 in collaboration with the Embassy of France and the Smithsonian Institution, celebrated the profound artistic partnerships that defined 20th-century printmaking. The portfolio accompanied a traveling exhibition organized by the Smithsonian’s National Collection of Fine Arts and presented at major institutions across the United States between 1964 and 1965. Containing twenty-four original lithographs by leading modern artists—including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, Joan Miro, Marc Chagall, Alexander Calder, Fernand Leger, Fritz Glarner, and Jean Cocteau—the publication chronicled the collaborative artistry of Mourlot Freres, whose Paris workshop elevated lithography to a fine art. Each plate demonstrated the mastery of color, composition, and craftsmanship that defined postwar printmaking, while the edition itself stood as a symbol of Franco-American cultural exchange. About the Artist: Georges Braque (1882–1963) was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker whose pioneering vision transformed the course of 20th-century art. A central figure in modernism and the co-founder of Cubism alongside Pablo Picasso, Braque redefined visual perception by breaking objects into geometric forms and reassembling them from multiple perspectives, creating a new visual language that bridged the gap between abstraction and reality. His early work was influenced by the vibrant colors and expressive energy of the Fauvist painters Henri Matisse and Andre Derain, before evolving toward the more analytical and structured compositions inspired by Paul Cezanne’s theories of form and perspective. Braque’s collaboration with Picasso between 1908 and 1914 marked one of the most fertile and revolutionary periods in art history, resulting in works that challenged traditional notions of space, depth, and illusion. Throughout his career, Braque maintained a deep interest in harmony, rhythm, and balance, infusing his still lifes, landscapes, and later reliefs with poetic subtlety and intellectual rigor. He moved among a brilliant circle of contemporaries including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Juan Gris, Fernand Leger, and Amedeo Modigliani—artists united in their pursuit of new modes of artistic expression. Braque’s influence extended well beyond his own era, shaping the creative approaches of later modernists such as Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, all of whom drew inspiration from his structural innovations and aesthetic integrity. His works are held in major museum collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, the Tate, and the Guggenheim, where they continue to embody the essence of modern artistic thought and visual poetry. The highest price ever paid for a Georges Braque artwork is approximately 15 million USD, achieved in 2013 at Christie’s New York for Paysage a la Ciotat (1907). Georges Braque Oiseaux...