[STAËL] RENÉ CHAR - Lot 18

[STAËL] RENÉ CHAR Poems. Wood by Nicolas de Staël Paris, 1952, in-4 leaves in a slipcase decorated by N. de Staël and a black painted case with relief. Illustrated with 14 original full-page woodcuts by Nicolas de Staël and an original lithograph in color covering the front and back covers. Edition of 120 numbered copies, one of 90 on Arches vellum, № 103, signed by the author and artist. PROVENANCE Galerie Heinz Berggruen, 1957. NOTE Poème, published in 1952, is a rare and precious work born of the encounter between René Char and Nicolas de Staël. This artist's book brings together the poet's words and fourteen original lithographed woodcuts by the painter. This is no mere illustration: the images and poems dialogue and respond to each other in a poetic and visual tension. De Staël, who was evolving towards abstraction at the time, translates Char's inner drive, dense thought and breath into powerful forms and masses of color. This book bears witness to a fraternity of artists, where word and matter harmonize in a grave and luminous balance. Expert : Cabinet Vallériaux. Please request condition reports prior to sale: they are not included in the data sheets.