Te Po (Kornfeld 21)

Details

Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)
Te Po (Kornfeld 21)
woodcut in black, orange and yellow, 1893-94, on Japon pasted onto card (as issued), fourth (final) state, one of approximately 25-30 impressions printed by Louis Roy in 1894, a fine impression with good clarity of detail in the fine incised lines of the black block, the yellow printing strongly, trimmed to the borderline (as issued), in very good condition
B., S. 204 x 357 mm.

Provenance

With Leicester Galleries, London

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Te Po is the second of ten woodblocks carved by Gauguin to illustrate his manuscript Noa Noa. Gauguin asked Roy to print an edition of 25-30 impressions of each image for the planned deluxe edition of Noa Noa. However, Roy's printing technique, varying the colours and combinations of blocks, created unique impressions rather than a uniform edition. Kornfeld notes that the impressions printed with an orange block (as in the present impression) rather than a brick red block were printed with more care. The fine, delicate printing of the ghostly Tupapau (Spirits of the Dead) and the flickering light cast by the candle in the present impression enhance the exotic atmosphere and the vulnerability of the sleeping figure.
Kornfeld records 14 impressions from the Roy printing as held in public collections and a further ten in private hands.

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