Paul Delvaux

Construction d'un Temple en Ruine - Plate n. 1, 1973
Etcxhing, 40.5 x 52.5 cm ...

Paul Delvaux

Construction d'un Temple en Ruine - Plate n. 1, 1973
Etcxhing, 40.5 x 52.5 cm
Construction d’un temple – Plate n. 1 is a b/w original etching and drypoint realized in 1973 (as reported on plate on the lower right margin) by Paul Delvaux. From the collection “Construction d’un temple en ruine à la déesse Vanadé”, this print came into being from the collaboration that lasted four years among the French author and member of the Nouveau-Roman movement Alain Robbe-Grillet (1922-2008), and the Belgian artist Paul Delvaux (1897-1994).
The book was printed in an edition of 187 copies, of which only 40 contain the illustrations by Paul Delvaux. Our copy is printed on “Arches” ivory colored paper with the Bateau Lavoir watermark (on the lower right corner), and the “Richard Bas” watermark (on the lower left margin).

Le Bateau Lavoir
Published in 1975 by Le Bateau Lavoir, the commission of this edition was provided by Mira Jacob, a private collector of Symbolist and Surrealist paintings. She was the one who encoraged Paul Delvaux during their first meeting in 1965 to start making lithographs. For this book, the Belgian artist produced a number of engravings, some of which are dry-points.
Paul Delvaux
Known for his images of female nudes depicted as cold marble statues in a dream-like world, Delvaux’s work is sometimes referred to as a theatre of courtesans. In our copy, the female figures often appear in the foreground.
Oblong Shape:
This edition from Fequet and Baudrier is unusual due to its oblong shape. The text was hand-set by François Da Ros, who produced numerous editions for Fequet and Budrier between 1964 and 1978. Da Ros was later appointed Master-Typographer. The engravings were printed on Piero Crommelynck’s engraving press, who was one of Picasso’s favorite engravers.
Bibliography: Bénézit 4-424.
References:
Z. Barthelman, Paul Delvaux: Odysse van een droom. Sint-Idesbald, Paul Delvaux Stichting, 2007;
Collection Mira Jacob Galerie le Bateau-Lavoir. Paris, Sotheby’s, 2004;
Virginie Devillers, Paul Delvaux: Le théatre des figures. Bruxelles, Editions de l’Université de Bruxelles, 1992;
Hommage à Piero Crommelynck, in: Nouvelles de l’estampe, 178 (2001), p. 72-77;
Christian Milat, Robbe-Grillet: Romancier alchimiste. Ottawa, David, 2001;
Marcel Paquet, Paul Delvaux et l’essence de la peinture. Paris, Edition de la Différence, 1982.
This artwork is in excellent conditions with a fresh line: it is as good as new.