Joan Miró, À Toute Épreuve, 1958

Artist: Joan Miró (1893 - 1983)
Title:À Toute Épreuve, 1958
Reference:Dupin 235
Medium:Original Color Woodcut
Image Size:14 1/2 in x 13 in (36.8 cm x 33 cm)
Sheet Size:20 1/2 in x 15 in (52 cm x 38 cm)
Framed Size:37 in x 32 in (93.98 cm x 81.28 cm)
Edition:Marked H.C. (Hors d'Commerce or artist's proof) in pencil in the lower left, this work is a proof impression aside from the edition of 125 without the text on Arches vellum paper.
Signature:This work is hand-signed by Joan Miró (Barcelona, 1893 - Palma, 1983) in pencil in the lower right.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition, a fine dark impression.
ID #w-2119

Historical Description

Used to present the artist’s exhibition of 80 woodcuts illustrating the book by Paul Eluard, this work embodies the spirit and thematic elements of all the works combined. Utilizing a dark grey block of wood grain texture in the background, bold hues of red and green overlap the rectangle in an even translucent layer. The bright edges of the red circle and green form jump off the page with their vibrancy, while the overlapping areas recede into space with the darker tone the grey background gives them. Appearing like a bright red sunset over a brilliant green meadow, there are endless possibilities to the meaning behind this work. Miró exhibits his skill in breaking the barriers and boundaries in printmaking with this piece, showing us an art uniquely his own with a joy for illustrating poetry.

Created in 1958, this original color woodcut was printed for the exhibition of Miró’s book A toute épreuve at the Galerie Berggruen, Paris. Published by Gérald Cramer, Geneva and the Galerie Berggruen, Paris, this work was printed by Fequet et Baudier, Paris. Marked H.C. (Hors d'Commerce or artist's proof) in pencil in the lower left, this work is a proof impression aside from the edition of 125 without the text on Arches vellum paper. Hand-signed by Joan Miró (Barcelona, 1893 - Palma, 1983) in pencil in the lower right, this work is in excellent condition with bright fresh colors; printed on RIVES watermarked paper with deckle edges on two sides.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
This work 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 final sale of the work).

1. Corredor-Matheos, J., Los Carteles de Miró. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 9 on pgs. 42 and 43.

2. Dupin, Jacques, Miró Engraver, Vol I. 1928-1960, 1989. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 235 on pg. 154.

3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:
This work is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complementary moulding and finished with linen-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.