Boone, Mary; Werner, Michael (Picabia, Francis)

Catalog: Francis Picabia (September 10-October 22, 1983)

New York, NY, USA: Gallery 417, 1983. First Edition. Softcover. “Although we can be sure that Picabia believed in one of his most cheerfully shoulder-shrugging aphorisms, “Everything for today, nothing for yesterday, nothing for tomorrow,” history may well be giving him the lie. His early Dada paintings and collages are, of course, long-established monuments in the Old Testament of modernism; but the late work may be casting a longer and longer shadow on tomorrow. Who knows how many more sparks will be ignited when this heavyweight of a lightweight master is re-examined by a new generation of artists and spectators eager to free themselves from the inherited catechisms of modern art?” (pg. 2) Featured here is the accompanying catalog for an exhibition that focused on the later works (1929-1950) of Francis Picabia (1879-1953), the great French artist & polymath who was closely associated with the Dada & Surrealist art movements. Curated by art dealers & collectors, Mary Boone (b.1951) and Michael Werner — now exes, each with galleries of their own, by the way — and opens with an essay from European & American historian Robert Rosenblum, quoted initially. These works are so visually delicious and remain unconfined by the limitations of paper production — truly a testament to Picabia’s propensity for color and texture. From the collection of Barbara (1935-2023) & Irving (1933-2018) Nusbaum - world travelers, connoisseurs, eminent collectors of art & books, and the dearly beloved late parents of our esteemed founder, Arthur S. Nusbaum. Softcover: First-and-only edition & printing limited to gallery exhibition. Exterior is in very fine condition with minor shelf-wear but perfectly fine otherwise. Interior is similarly very fine with no notable flaws. Very Fine. [Item #6665]

Price: $25.00