Original aquatint in black and beige on buff laid paper. Hand signed by the artist in pencil, "G. Braque" lower right and annotated "H.C." lower left. One of only a few "Hors Commerce" proofs aside from 5 artist's proofs, and the edition of 120 on Auvergne paper, a signed edition of 20 on Japon Ancien, and a signed and numbered edition of 70 with wide margins. Printed by Crommelynck and Dutrou, Paris. Published by Louis Broder, Paris, 1958. In excellent condition, framed with museum quality conservation materials.

Sheet size: 10" x 13 1/16"
Catalogue reference: Vallier 135

Georges Braque was born in Argenteuil, France in 1892. The artist’s interest in prints dates from very early in his career. Between 1908 and 1912, he employed etching and drypoint to produce graphic works in the cubist style. The artist made his first lithograph of a still life, “Terre et fruits” in 1921. The lithograph was published by the Parisian gallery owner, Daniel Henry Kahnweiller, who exhibited Braque’s early works. Throughout his life, Braque continued to make prints, mastering the techniques of etching, lithography, aquatint and woodcut. His engraved work included collaborations with several poets including illustrations for volumes and books by Erik Satie, Francis Ponge, Jean Paulhan, Guillaume Apollinaire, Marcel Jouhandeau, and Saint-John Perse, among others. The most important of these productions is René Char 's “Lettera amorosa” for which Braque made twenty-nine colour lithographs. The artist has also created prints for collective books such as, "Un poème dans chaque livre" written by the poet Paul Eluard, illustrated with 16 etchings by Miro, Giacometti, Chagall, Masson etc.; "Sentences sans paroles" along with an engraving by Giacometti ; and "Paroles peintes" with prints by Chagall, Bissière, Zadkine, etc.

Georges Braque died in 1963. During the artist’s orbituary delivered at The Louvre Museum in September of 1963, the French author, adventurer and statesman André Malraux stated : "There is a part of France's honor called ‘Braque’, because a country's honor is also made of what it gives to the world."