Pierre Soulages (French, b. 1919) Lithographie no 1

Description:

Pierre Soulages (French, b. 1919)

Lithographie no 1, 1957, proof outside of the edition of 60, published by Berggruen, Paris (Duby et al., 1). Signed "Soulages" in pencil l.r., inscribed "épreuve d'artiste" in pencil l.l., dedicated "Au Dr. A Epstein avec mes sentiments amicaux et reconnaissant" in pencil l.c. Lithograph printed in gray, brown, and black on paper, image size 22 1/4 x 17 1/8 in. (56.4 x 43.3 cm),framed.
Condition: Deckled upper and lower edges, staining to upper margin, gentle and even toning, not examined out of frame.

Provenance: The estate of Alvin Epstein, New York City.

N.B. The lot is accompanied by a framed exhibition poster Soulages Peintures et Gravures, 1975.

Alvin Epstein (1925-2018) was a celebrated classical stage actor and director who appeared in the Broadway premiere of Waiting for Godot and went on to become widely known for his mastery of works by Samuel Beckett. He was a founding member of the American Repertory Company as well as the Yale Repertory Theater and was long affiliated with nonprofit and regional theater. Epstein met and befriended Pierre Soulages and Pierrette Bloch (See lot 395) while studying mime in Paris with Marcel Marceau, and the friendships continued whenever they visited New York.
Estimate $5,000-7,000

Unmounted, full sheet. Deckled edges all the way around. Staining to the upper margin, several pinprick fox marks, long narrow accretion to left margin outside of image - approx. 6 inches in length. Gentle and even toning. Few small creases, though there is no loss of ink where it is creased - see photos for further condition details. Foxing to verso. Stain to l.r. margin edge on verso.


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