Georges Braque, Les Amaryllis (Amaryllis), 1958

Artist: Georges Braque (1882 - 1963)
Title:Les Amaryllis (Amaryllis), 1958
Reference:Vallier 125
Medium:Color Etching and Aquatint on Rives Paper
Image Size:21 1/4 in x 17 3/4 in ( 54 cm x 45 cm)
Sheet Size:30 in x 22 5/16 in(76.2 cm x 56.7 cm)
Edition:Numbered from the edition of 75 in pencil in the lower left margin.
Signature:This work is hand-signed by Georges Braque (Argenteuil, Val-d’Oise, 1882 – Paris, 1963) in pencil in the lower right margin.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition.
ID #w-6977

Historical Description

Georges Braque Les Amaryllis (Amaryllis), 1958 is a tranquil work depicting amaryllis, a flower native to South Africa. Though the flower’s natural coloring is a bright red, the artist has chosen to render it in a limited palette of grey, black and ochre tones. The name “amaryllis” is derived from a nymph in Greek mythology with the same name. Amaryllis fell in deeply in love with a shepherd named Alteo; however, he did not reciprocate her love because he only loved flowers. In an attempt to gain his affections, Amaryllis appeared at Alteo's door for 30 nights, and each night she would pierce her heart with a golden arrow. When Alteo finally opened his door, a scarlet flower grown from the nymph’s blood stood before him. In this work, Georges Braque captures the tragedy of this moment by illustrating an amaryllis in death, but also illustrates the beauty and romance of its Greek origins.

Created in 1958, this color etching and aquatint on Rives Paper is hand-signed by Georges Braque (Argenteuil, Val-d’Oise, 1882 – Paris, 1963) in pencil in the lower right margin.. Numbered from the edition of 75 in pencil in the lower left margin.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Georges Braque Les Amaryllis (Amaryllis), 1958 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Vallier, Dora. Braque: The Complete Graphics Catalogue Raisonné. New York City: W. H. Smith Publishers Inc., 1982. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 125 on pg. 181.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Georges Braque Les Amaryllis (Amaryllis), 1958 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.

Subject Matter: Flowers