Dada, Surrealism, War and its Aftermath 1935-1955
The Artists’ books in this gallery reflect the creativity and optimism of publishers, such as Ambroise Vollard, Albert Skira, and Tériade who, both before and after World War II, created ambitious and complex volumes with some of the greatest artists of the era. In contrast, however, the content of a number of books reflects the period of the 1930s and 1940s as a time of economic depression and a world war, followed by an uneasy peace. The variety of materials used in the construction of the books, from the simplest pamphlet clandestinely made in Paris under the occupying noses of the Nazis to luxurious volumes where no expense was spared, display their individuality and idiosyncratic nature during this period.
La Brebis galante by Benjamin Péret
Book with 25 illustrations total: 3 ethchings colored via pochoir and 22 lithographs (some with color) on Arches wove paper; bound in paper covers.
L'Antitête (Antihead) by Tristan Tzara , volume I: Monsieur Aa l'Antiphilosophe
Book (volume I of III) of 8 etchings (color) on Auvergne handmade paper from Richard de Bas, covered in limp vellum with silver lettering on cover.
Les Illuminations by Arthur Rimbaud
Book with 40 illustrations total: 15 lithographs (color added via "pochoir" and freehand) on handmade wove paper.
L'Antitête (Antihead) by Tristan Tzara, volume III: Désespéranto
Book (volume 3 of 3) of 8 etchings with pochoir (color) on Auvergne handmade paper from Richard de Bas, covered in limp vellum with silver lettering on cover.
Poésie de mots inconnus
Book with 26 illustrations by various artists and 26 poems also by various artists; the sheets of Isle de France paper are folded twice and grouped into 5.
