"Femme a la Source," Pablo
Picasso, 1962. Linocut printed in colors signed by the artist
and inscribed "Epreuve d'artiste."
NEW YORK CITY - Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse had many things
in common; one primary passion which burned throughout their
lives was a profound love of books. Both Matisse and Picasso
illustrated a number of books with original graphic art, several
of these recognized as the most significant illustrated books of
the Twentieth Century.
To coincide with the forthcoming exhibition at the Museum of
Modern Art entitled, "Matisse Picasso," Ursus Books and Prints
will exhibit a large number of the most important illustrated
books created by these two artists. Each book was issued in a
limited edition and was signed by either Matisse or Picasso. The
exhibition will run from March 1 to March 31.
Included will be copies of Matisse's four greatest works, the
colorful collage masterpiece Jazz, widely recognized as
one of the most famous books of all time; Stephane Mallarme's
Poesies, published by Skira in 1932; Pasiphae by
Henri de Montherlant, published in 1944; and Pierre Ronsard's
Florilege des Amours, also published by Skira in 1948.
The Pierre and Maria-Gaetana Matisse Foundation have agreed to
lend several of Matisse's original maquettes - offering a view of
the early stages of creative development in the layout for his
books. Thus the exhibition at Ursus will not only display the
major books produced by Matisse, but will also provide a exciting
and informative window into the creative thought process that
Matisse invested into his book-making.
Picasso's book illustration, as in everything else, was
prodigious. Ursus will feature more than 20 of his most important
and influential books, spanning the same time period as those of
Matisse. The "cross-pollination" of artistic influence that has
been remarkably revealed in the "Matisse Picasso" exhibition at
MOMA will be equally evident in the Ursus exhibition of their
book illustration. Both artists were well aware of what the other
was doing in book illustration. The books illustrated by both men
served as inspiration to the other.
From Picasso's oeuvre, the exhibition includes the lovely, slim
volume of La Jeune Parque of 1921 for which Picasso
contributed a lithographic portrait of the author Paul Valery;
Balzac's Chef d'Oeuvre Inconnu, published by Vollard in
1931; Gongora's Vingt Poemes of 1948; and illustrations to
accompany the works of the writers Rene Char, Robert Desnos, Paul
Eluard, Max Jacob and Tristan Tzara.
The Ursus Gallery and Daniela Laube Fine Art will also exhibit a
selection of original, signed prints by Matisse and Picasso. With
the exception of the material on loan from the Pierre and
Maria-Gaetana Matisse Foundation, everything will be available
for purchase.
An illustrated catalogue will be available at the time of the
exhibition.
Ursus is on the Mezzanine of the Carlyle Hotel at 981 Madison
Avenue between 76th and 77th Street. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm.
Monday through Friday, and Saturday 11 am to 5 pm. For
information, 212-772-8787.
