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ARCHIPENKO, ALEXANDER "Angelica", an original drypoint by Alexander Archipenko
. This is an original drypoint by Alexander Archipenko, one of 75 impressions taken from the plate before it was canceled. Archipenko originally engraved the plate in 1922, and made a few proofs--only three are known to exist. In 1967 the plate was discovered, and since it was not worn or damaged at all, the artist's estate authorized an edition of 75 proofs, after which the plate was canceled. I am offering one of those 75 proofs, printed in black on fine, thick, bright white BFK Rives wove paper. The platemark measures 6 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches (16.5 x 10.8 cm), and the sheet measures 13 x 10 1/2 inches (33 x 26.67 cm). The print is in absolutely perfect condition, with no defects. It has never been trimmed or matted. I have found no official auction record for this print. The print is described in Donald Karshan's catalogue raisonne, "Archipenko, The Sculpture and Graphic Art" (Tuebingen: Ernst Wasmuth Verlag, 1974). It is number 26 in that catalogue, and Karshan points out that "Angelica" "is chronologically the third and last drypoint made by Archipenko. Here again, the mentality of the sculptor dominates: the image is 'modeled' in space with a definite geometrification and formal simplification of shapes. The most cubist of Archipenko's drypoints, this portrait is related to a sculpto-painting of Angelica of 1922 titled 'Portrait of Artist's Wife'. In 1925 the artist created the small bronze of Angelica, in which can be seen strongly incised lines that schematicallydefine the brow, hairline, neck and bosom contours. A similar device was employed in the emphatic linear treatment of the drypoint, where the crisp line so successfully interacts with cross-hatched shadow areas. The drypoint, ANGELICA, is the only full portrait print made by the sculptor; it seems appropriate that it should have been his first wife, who became the subject of so many sculptures during the period from 1921 through about 1928. Despite it being confined mainly to her head, the portrait still faithfully conveys the overall physical vitality and robustness of his German born and bred wife whom he married a year earlier than the date of the print's execution. Archipenko has created a lively tension in this portrait by fillingso much of the rectangle with the tilting head, with its angular, cubist-rendered hairline. The portrait is further animated by the almost hypnotic stare of the single catlike eye." Very scarce.
Offered for US$ 395.00 by: Cole & Contreras Books / Sylvan Cole Gallery - Book number: 1897
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