RAYMOND HAINS (B. 1926)

Saffa

Details

RAYMOND HAINS (B. 1926)
Saffa
unique painted wood multiple, circa 1966-8, signed '(Galeria del Leone + Hains)' and with the artist's 'signature éclatée' (exploding signature) in ink on the reverse, also with the Gallery Iris Clert (faded), and Douane Paris-Chappelle inkstamps on the reverse, surface soiling, scrapes, chipping and cracks at the upper edge, otherwise in good condition
overall: 45 x 33 3/8 x 2½ in. (1143 x 848 x 61 mm.)

Lot Essay

Raymond Hains has always questioned the role of the artist and what constitutes a final product, not only 'tricking' the viewer but also subverting the context. The artist is perhaps better known for his Nouveau Realist 'décollage' art first exhibited in New York in the now legendary Museum of Modern Art show 'The Art of Assemblage'. The 'Saffa' (Super Matchbook) presented for sale here is from his Sita and Saffa series from the mid-1960's. It was inspired by the appropriated initials of the French and Italian state owned tobacco companies, Pop artists, namely Claes Oldenburg, and the Duchampian ideas of re-assigning of found objects such as the Fountain signed 'R. Mutt' and the alter ego Rrose Sélavy.

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