Paul Delvaux, Construction d'un Temple en Ruine, Plate No. 4, Etching, 1971

Construction d’un temple – Plate n. 4 is a b/w original etching and dry-point realized in 1971 (as reported on plate on the lower right margin) by Paul Delvaux. from the collection “ Construction d’un temple en ruine à la déesse Vanadé ”, this original print originated from the collaboration that lasted four years among the French author, a member of the Nouveau-Roman group Alain Robbe-Grillet (1922-2008), and the Belgian artist Paul Delvaux (1897-1994). Firstly, Robbe-Grillet wrote a text, to which Delvaux replied with a wonderful engraving; Robbe-Grillet then responded with a second text. This is how the building blocks of this outstanding book merged together: it was constructed like a temple. The book was printed in an edition of 187 copies, of which only 40 contain the illustrations by Paul Delvaux. Our copy is unnumbered and printed on “Arches” ivory colored paper with the Bateau Lavoir watermark (on the lower right corner), and “Richard Bas ” watermark (on the lower left margin). This beautiful artwork, representing an enigmatic composition with seven women pictured like ancient Greek marble statues in different poses, is hard to understand for the beholders. In excellent conditions and with a fresh line and a vivid black: as good as new. Le Bateau Lavoir Published in 1975 by the Parisian " Le Bateau Lavoir" , the commission of this edition was made by Mira Jacob , a private collector of Symbolist and Surrealist paintings. She was the one who encoraged Paul Delvaux during their first meeting in 1965 to start making lithographs. For this book, the Belgian artist produced a great number of engravings, some of which are dry-points. Paul Delvaux (1897-1994) Well-known for his artworks with female nudes portrayed as cold marble statues in a dream-like place, Delvaux’s works are sometimes referred to as a theatre of courtesans. In our prints, the female figures are often showed in the foreground. Oblong Shape: This edition from Fequet and Baudrier is unique thanks to its oblong shape. The text was hand-set by François Da Ros, who produced numerous editions for Fequet and Baudrier between 1964 and 1978. Da Ros was later appointed as the master-typographer. The engravings were printed on Piero Crommelynck ’s engraving press, who was one of Picasso’s favorite engravers. Bibliography : Bénézit 4-424 References: Z. Barthelman , Paul Delvaux: Odysse van een droom. Sint-Idesbald, Paul Delvaux Stichting, 2007; Collection Mira Jacob Galerie le Bateau-Lavoir. Paris, Sotheby’s, 2004; Virginie Devillers , Paul Delvaux: Le théatre des figures . Bruxelles, Editions de l’Université de Bruxelles, 1992; Hommage à Piero Crommelynck , in: Nouvelles de l’estampe , 178 (2001), p. 72-77; Christian Milat, Robbe-Grillet: Romancier alchimiste . Ottawa, David, 2001; Marcel Paquet, Paul Delvaux et l’essence de la peinture. Paris, Edition de la Différence, 1982.