tàpies

Graphic Works

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tàpies

Frontispiece 1. El dit

Etching, carborundum and collagraph on LafrancaSigned in pencil and inscribed (Edition 99) 1987 Sheet: 56 x 76 cm

Homs 1121.Published by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL, BarcelonaPrinted by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL workshop, Barcelona

Antoni Tàpies (b. 1923, Barcelona – d. 2012, Barcelona) was undoubtedly one of Spain’s greatest artists of the twentieth century. Over many years he refined a visual language that was inspired by a wide range of sources and used a fusion of symbols, materials and gestures. Early on he was influenced by Surrealism as well as the philosophy of Heidegger and Sartre, which lead him to investigate the nature of physical objects and their materiality. Later, he formed a strong connection with Joan Miró. Tàpies’ work embodies his extensive personal experience and history, as well as that of his native Spain and specifically Catalonia. As Tàpies’ use of tangible materials for making art emphasized physical transformation, spiritual transformation is evoked through signs and symbols drawn from eastern and western cultures.

Graphic work

Alongside his production of pictures and objects, Tàpies was very active in the field of graphic work. He produced a large number of collector’s books and portfolios in close association with poets and writers. In Tàpies’s graphic work, in common with other works he was interested with the materiality of a piece. Tàpies enjoyed working with the concepts such as ‘high’ art and ‘low’ art. He used embossing, flocking, and indentations with carborundum, defying the flatness of printmaking. He also frequently used painting, drawing, and collage in his prints as well as a number of earthy materials such as straw, sand, and dirt. The graphic work formed one of his central activities, and his prints have always been recognised as a major part of his oeuvre. Although the prints are comparable to his paintings in pictorial structure, they are the result of a close collaboration between the artist, printer and publisher. His prints are works of great technical complexity and cannot always be described in common terms.To achieve the innovative techniques, Tàpies worked with specific publishers and printmakers who were inspired by his unique, groundbreaking ideas. His primary publishers were La Polígrafa in Barcelona, Erker-Presse in St. Gallen, and Galerie Maeght in Paris, Zurich and Barcelona. It was very important to Tàpies for his work to reach a wider range of people, and through his graphic work he was able to achieve this aim. His output was prodigious, The importance of graphic work as part of his work as a whole was recognized by the retrospective ‘Antoni Tàpies in Print’ organized and exhibited shown by The Museum of Modern Art, New York, in 1992 later touring museums in the US, Central and South America.

2. Objectes Etching, carborundum and collagraph on Lafranca paper Signed in pencil and numbered (Edition 99) 1987 Sheet: 56 x 76 cm

Antoni Tàpies’ graphic work is an inseparable part of his work as a whole. He approaches a copper plate with the same energy as he would a board or a roll of paper. The driving force behind all his work is a desire to communicate: to create talisman that transmit his ideas to the viewer. His graphic work is therefore especially important to him as it allows his work to reach a wider audience.

Ever since the start of his career in the forties, Tàpies has been interested in the materiality of a work of art. This has increasingly become the main focus in his work. The printing process opens up a new range of expressive possibilities for him to explore. His innovative approach means he continually subverts traditional processes by experimenting with new techniques and introducing new materials to the printmaking world.

Tàpies’ distinctive imagery is usually taken from his immediate environment. His images often show what is usually thought of as low, dirty or repulsive. Objects from daily life are used, and also parts of the body not traditionally thought to be attractive, such as a foot, an armpit or a bottom. He elevates his subject matter by giving value and prominence to these things that are usually discarded or ignored.

Núria Homs

Núria Homs has been cataloguing Tàpies’ graphic work for many years at the Fundació Antoni Tàpies, BarcelonaGalfetti 1126 Published by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL, BarcelonaPrinted by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL workshop, Barcelona

Antoni Tàpies

4. Pied Marron

Lithograph in colours on Vélin d’Arches paperSigned in pencil and numbered (Edition 75) 1984Image: 87 x 63.5 cmSheet: 109.5 x 75.5 cm

Galfetti 975Published by Galerie Lelong, ParisPrinted by Atelier Lelong, Paris

3. Empreintes de mains

Lithograph in colours on Vélin de Rives paperSigned in pencil and inscribed (Edition 120) 1980 Image: 49 x 62 cm - Sheet: 54.5 x 67 cm

Galfetti 737Published by Erker-Press, St. Gallen. Printed by Erker-Press, St. Gallen

5. Katalanische Lyrik Lithograph in colours on Arches white paperSigned in pencil and inscribed (Edition 200) 1987Sheet: 24 x 20 cm

Homs 1175 Published by Tilbert Stegmann / Verlag Philipp Reclam, LeipzigPrinted by Lithogrfias Artisticas Damià Caus, Barcelona

6. Mains et Croix

Lithograph in colours on Vélin d’Arches paperSigned in pencil and numbered (Edition 75) 1975 Image: 44 x 69.5 cm Sheet: 63.5 x 91 cm

Galfetti 495. Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris. Printed by Atelier Morsang, Paris.

7. Retornos de lo vivo lejano VI

Lithograph in colours on Vélin d’Arches paperSigned in pencil and inscribed (Edition 100) 1977 Image: 64 x 85 cm - Sheet: 73 x 93 cm

Galfetti 673 (full page colour illustration + dust jacket)Published by Roberto Otero and Raphael Santos TorroellaPrinted by Damilà Caus, Bacelona

8. Retornos de lo vivo lejano II

Lithograph in colours on Vélin d’Arches paperSigned in pencil and inscribed (Edition 100) 1977 Image: 64 x 85 cm - Sheet: 73 x 93 cm

Galfetti 669Published by Roberto Otero and Raphael Santos TorroellaPrinted by Damilà Caus, Bacelona

9. 70 Aquatint and carborundum, multicoloured with relief on Gurro paper Signed in pencil and numbered (Edition 75) 1979 Image: 19 x 20.5 cm - Sheet: 56 x 73 cm Galfetti 714 Published by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL, BarcelonaPrinted by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL workshop, Barcelona

10. A Effacé Lithograph in colours on Vélin de Rives paperSigned in pencil and inscribed (Edition 90) 1974Image: 54 x 75.5 Sheet: 63 x 90 cm

Galfetti 394 Published by Erker Press, St. GallenPrinted by Erker Press, St. Gallen

11. Untitled (from Paroles Peintes no. V)

Etching with aquatint in colours on Vélin d’Arches paper Signed in white crayon (Edition 100) 1975 Sheet: 38 x 28 cm

Galfetti 519. (full page colour illustration)Published by O. Lazar-Vernet, Paris. Printed by Atelier Morsang, Paris.

12. Aparicions 5

Etching in colours with embossing on Guarro paperSigned in pencil and numbered (Edition 99) 1982 Sheet: 56 x 76 cm

Galfetti 891.Published by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL, BarcelonaPrinted by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL workshop, Barcelona

13. Croix et Accent Etching in colours with carorundum on Vélin d’Auvergne Richard de Bas paper Signed and numbered (Edtion 60) 1984 Image: 12 x 20 cm Sheet: 50 x 65 cm

Galfetti 943. Published by Galerie Lelong, Paris Printed by J Barbara, Barcelona

14. 3 i 4 Aquatint and carborundum with releif on Guarro paper Signed in pencil and numbered (Edition 99) 1982 Image: 43.5 x 66 cm - Sheet: 56 x 76 cm

Galfetti 851 Published by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL, BarcelonaPrinted by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL workshop, Barcelona

16. 24 sur 17

Lithograph in colours on Vélin d’Arches paper Signed in pencil and numbered (Edition 75) 1976 Image: 56 x 45 cm - Sheet: 76 x 55.5 cm

Galfetti 624Published by Maeght Editeur, ParisPrinted by Arte, A. Maeght, Paris

15. Le Huit

Etching in colours with Chine appliqué on Chiffon de Mandeure paper Signed in pencil and numbered (Edition 75) 1969 Plate: 35 x 50 cm - Sheet: 58 x 78 cm

Galfetti 202Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris. Printed by Arte, A. Maeght, Paris.

17. Deux Pieds

Lithograph in colours on Vélin d’Arches paperSigned in pencil and numbered (Edition 100) 1997 Image: 64 x 85 cm - Sheet: 73 x 93 cm

Registered HomsPublished by Kestner-Gesellschaft, Hannover Printed by Stoob Steindruck, St. Gallen, for Erker-Presse, St. Gallen

18. Untitled (from Suite 63 x 90)

Lithograph in colours on Vélin de Rives paperSigned in pencil and numbered (Edition 90) 1980 Sheet: 63 x 89.9 cm

Galfetti 775Published by Erker-Press, St. GallenPrinted by Erker-Press, St. Gallen

20. Improvisations en Blanc et Noir 4 Lithograph on Arches white paperSigned in pencil and numbered (Edition 60) 1987Image: 102 x 74 cmSheet: 108 x 80 cm

Homs 1136 (full page colour illustration)Published by Erker Press, St. GallenPrinted by Erker Press, St. Gallen

19. Simètric Lithograph in colours with resins, carorundum and stamping on Vélin d’Arches paper Signed in pencil and numbered (Edtion 50) 1982 Sheet: 63 x 90 cm

Galfetti 841. Published by Galeria Maeght, Barcelona Printed by J Barbara, Barcelona

23. A.L Hannover Lithograph in colours on Vélin d’Arches paperSigned in pencil and numbered (Edition 150) 1983 Sheet: 70 x 50 cm Galfetti 925 Published by Galerie Lelong, Paris Printed by Atelier Lelong, paros

22. Vague 1,2

Lithograph in colours on Vélin d’Arches paperSigned in pencil and inscribed (Edition 75) 1982Sheet: 66 x 100 cm

Galfetti 900Published by Galerie Lelong, ParisPrinted by Atelier Lelong, Paris

24. Paper cremat

Etching in colours with embossing on Guarro paperSigned in pencil and numbered (Edition 75) 1975 Image: 43 x 62.5 cm - Sheet: 56 x 76 cm

Galfetti 507.Published by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL, BarcelonaPrinted by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL workshop, Barcelona

25. Art 6 ‘75

Lithograph in colours on Vélin de Rives paperSigned in pencil and numbered (Edition 150) 1975 Image: 78 x 60 cm - Sheet: 90 x 63 cm

Galfetti 516.Published by Kunstverein für die Rheinlande und Westfalen, Düsseldorf.Printed by Erker-Presse, St. Gallen.

26. Vague d’encre

Lithograph in colours on Vélin d’Arches paper Signed in pencil and inscribed (Edition 75) 1980 Sheet: 78 x 100 cm

Galfetti 743Published by Maeght Editeur, ParisPrinted by Aatelier Maeght, Paris

27. Por Chile Lithograph in colours on Guarro paper Signed in pencil and numbered (Edition 100) 1983 Sheet: 65 x 50 cm

Galfetti 928 Published by Ministerio de Cultura, MadridPrinted by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL workshop, Barcelona

28. Signes sur Croix Lithograph in colours with collage on Vélin d’Auvergne Richard de Bas paper Signed in pencil and numbered (Edtion 50) 1976 Sheet: 33 x 51.5 cm

Galfetti 841. Published by Galeria Maeght, Barcelona Printed by J Barbara, Barcelona

29. Relief sable

Etching and aquatint in colours on on Vélin d’Arches paperSigned in pencil and numbered (Edition 75) 1982 Sheet: 70.5 x 96.5 cm, Plate: 53.5 x 68 cm

Galfetti 831. Published by Galerie Lelong, Paris.Printed by Atelier Morsang, Paris.

31. Les Quatre Croix Etching in colours on Chiffon de Mandeure paper Signed in pencil and numbered (Edition 75) 1969 Image: 35 x 50 cm - Sheet: 58 x 78 cm Galfetti 200 Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris Printed by Arte, A. Maeght, Paris

30. Untitled (from El pendulo Inmovil)

Etching and resin in colours on Vélin d’Auvergne Richard de Bas paperSigned in pencil and inscribed (Edition 75) 1982 Sheet: 51 x 66 cm, Plate: 30 x 40 cm

Galfetti 884. Published by Editart-D Blanco, Geneva. Printed by J. Barbarà, Barcelona.

33. Papier kraft

Etching in colours on Chiffon de Mandeure paperSigned in pencil and inscribed (Edition 75) 1971 Sheet: 65.5 x 90 cm

Galfetti 273Published by Maeght Editeur, Paris. Printed by Arte, A. Maeght, Paris.

32. Variation sur un thème musical, 18

Lithograph in colours with embossing on Arches white paperSigned in pencil and numbered (Edition 75) 1987Sheet: 70 x 54 cm

Homs 1159Published by Galerie Lelong, ParisPrinted by Litografías artísticas Damià Caus, Barcelona.

34. Petjada i signatures

Etching in colours with aquatint and embossing on Guarro paper Signed in pencil and numbered (Edition 99) 1982 Image: 35.5 x 49.5 cm - Sheet: 56 x 76 cm

Galfetti 850 Published by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL, BarcelonaPrinted by Polígrafa Obra Gràfica SL workshop, Barcelona

35. Untitled (From Columbus: in Search of a New Tomorrow)

Silkscreen in colours on Fabriano paperSigned and numbered (Edition 100) 1992 Sheet: 76 x 58 cm

Homs 1371.Published by Edition Domberger, Filderstadt.Printed by Domberger KG, Filderstadt.

37. Untitled Lithograph in colours on Guarro paper Signed in pencil and numbered (Edition 150) 1966 Sheet: 77 x 57 cm Galfetti 137 Published by Kunstverein fur die Rheinlande und Westfalen, Düsseldorf Printed by Foto-Repro, Barcelona

36. Cannage (from Variations)

Lithograph in colours on Vélin de Rives paperSigned in pencil and inscribed (Edition90) 1984Image: 72 x 94 cm - Sheet: 75 x 105 cm

Galfetti/Homs 1003 Published by Erker-Press, St. GallenPrinted by Erker-Press, St. Gallen

39. Untitled Lithograph in colours on Guarro paperSigned in pencil and numbered (Edition 50) 1967 Image: 56 x 76 cm (each panel) - Sheet: 112 x 152 cm

Galfetti 151 Published by Sala Gaspar, Barcelona Printed by Foto-Repro, Barcelona

38. Untitled (from El péndulo inmóvil) Etching in colours with resins, ‘à la poupée’ on Velin d’Auvergne Richard de Bas paper Signed in pencil and inscribed (Edition 75) 1982 Image: 30 x 40 cm - Sheet: 50 x 65 cm

Galfetti 886. Published by Editart-D Blanco. Printed by J Barbara.

Selected exhibitions and publications (Print-Related)

1947 Makes first prints (intaglios) at the studio of the printer Enric Tormo in Barcelona.1948 Founded the art and literary journal, with others, entitled Dau al set.1953 Begins long association with Martha Jackson Gallery, New York.1956 Begins long association with Galerie Stadler, Paris.1959 Publishes first prints (lithographs) with Sala Gaspar, Barcelona.1960 Exhibits in Tokyo, International Biennal Exhibition of Prints, and awarded prize.1963 Begins long association with Erker-Galerie, St. Gallen, Switzerland. First print (lithograph) published by Erker-Verlag.1964 First print (intaglio) published by Polígrafa, Barcelona.1967 First of many solo exhibitions at the Galerie Maeght, through Jacques Dupin. First prints (lithographs) published by Maeght Éditeur, Paris.1969 Exhibits in Belgrade, Museum of Modern Art: Antoni Tàpies/Jasper Johns: Litografijes1974 Exhibits in Krakow: Miedzynarodowe Biennale Grafiki, also 1984.1975 Publication of catalogue raisonné for prints 1947-1972 by Mariuccia Galfetti and Carl Vogel. 1978 Exhibits in New York, Hastings Gallery, The Spanish Institute: Antoni Tàpies: Selected Original Etchings and Lithographs 1947-1977.1981 Exhibits in Baden-Baden, Germany: 2nd Biennal of European Graphic Art.1983 Exhibits in Barcelona, Fundació Joan Miró, Tàpies: Cartells (and tour).1984 Publication of catalogue raisonné for prints 1973-1978 by Mariuccia Galfetti. 1985 Exhibits in Valencia, Spain, Centro Municipal de Cultura: Antoni Tàpies: Gravats.1988 Exhibits in Portland, Maine, the Baxter Gallery, Portland School of Art: Antoni Tàpies: Graphic Work 1947-1987 (and tour).1989 Exhibits in Bejing, Palau de Bellas Artes: Tàpies: Prints.1992 Exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art, New York: Antoni Tàpies in Print.2002 Publication of catalogue raisonné for prints 1979-1986 by Mariuccia Galfetti and Núria Homs. 2004 Exhibits The Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) The Fundación Marcelino Botín in Santander and Reina Sofía Madrid Exhibits Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, Rio de Janeiro2006 Exhibits Galerie Lelong (Paris), the Galería Soledad Lorenzo (Madrid) and the Galeria Toni Tàpies (Barcelona) Other solo shows include Porto, Lisbon, London, New York and Toulon2007 EMMA-Espoo Museum of Modern Art -first retrospective exhibition of Antoni Tàpies in Finland. Exhibition Tàpies Posters and the Public Sphere, Cervantes Institute, Madrid and Museu Valencià de la Il·lustració i de la Modernitat (MuVIM)2008 Tàpies Posters and the Public Sphere Cervantes Institutes in Toulouse, Prague and Berlin2009 Exhibits Antoni Tàpies: The Resources of Rhetoric at the Dia: Beacon, New York. Exhibits Antoni Tàpies: Materia e tempo opens at the MARCA Museum in Catanzaro.2010 The Fundació Antoni Tàpies, Barcelona, reopens to the public after two years-closure. Exhibits The Fundació Palau, Caldes d’Estrac, and Antoni Tàpies. Graphic Works Galeria Fernando Santos, Oporto2011 Exhibits Galerie Lelong, Paris, Recent work. Exhibits Louise Bourgeois. Antoni Tàpies. Rencontre, Galería Soledad Lorenzo, Madrid. Retrospective Bild, Körper, Pathos.The Museum für Gegenwartskunst Siegen, Siegen, 2012 Antoni Tàpies dies at 88 years of age, February 6, in Barcelona.

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