Lot 238
JOSEF HERMAN O.B.E., R.A. (POLISH/BRITISH 1911-2000) §
SONG OF THE MIGRANT BIRD, 1999
Auction: MODERN MADE Part II | 01 November 2024 | Lots 80 to 444
Description
The complete boxed set of 54 colour lithographs, Archive 2, aside from the edition of 50, most of the lithographs signed in pencil (excluding Cover, For N., and In My Memory of Things, My Themes), with title page, editioned in pencil, and list of contents, printed by the Curwen Press, Chilford, with their blindstamp to each lithograph, loose as issued within the original burgundy linen covered box, with gold embossing to the front, each sheet 30cm x 21cm (11 ¾in x 8 ¼in), unframed;
‘BIRD,’ Screenprint, Archive proof, aside from the edition of 50, inscribed Josef Herman and Archive in pencil, with the CC blindstamp, the sheet 56cm x 65cm (22in x 25 ½in), unframed;
‘BIRD’, mixed media with collage working printer's proof, with printer's recommendations to the artist in ink (to lower edge), and further colour notations, the sheet 58cm x 42cm (22 ¾in x 16 ½in), unframed;
‘BIRD,’ printed acetate, the sheet 36cm x 28cm (14 ½in x 11in), unframed (4)
Provenance
Curwen Studio;
Private Collection, U.K.
Footnote
Josef Herman was captivated by birds and these printer's proofs and working sheets from the studio are part of his initial exploration into the concept of the bird. They were worked up into finished screenprints, both entitled ‘Bird’ and each published in an edition of 50. The culmination of the artist's interest in birds was the folio, Song of the Migrant Bird, with 53 vibrant and varied representations of their form.