Décor de Théâtre

Details

Alexandra Ekster (1882-1949)
Décor de Théâtre
the complete set of 15 pochoirs in colours with extensive handcolouring in gouache, 1930, on Arches wove paper, from the unnumbered edition of 150, published by Edition des Quatre Chemins, Paris, the full sheets, deckle edges on all sides, lacking the text and portfolio, some sheets with pale foxing and staining, otherwise in good condition
Image 247 x 340 mm. (and smaller), Sheet 329 x 508 mm. (each)

Literature

Chauvelin et al., Alexandra Exter, Chevilly-Larue, 2003, pp. 304-327.

Special notice

Artist's Resale Right ("Droit de Suite"). Artist's Resale Right Regulations 2006 apply to this lot, the buyer agrees to pay us an amount equal to the resale royalty provided for in those Regulations, and we undertake to the buyer to pay such amount to the artist's collection agent.

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Alexandra Gill Senior Specialist

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Lot Essay

Ekster's designs were very warmly received when she showed them in 1927 at the Galerie aux Quatre Chemins, Paris. 'Alexandra Ekster's exhibition demonstrates her very great talent', wrote André Boll in a contemporary review; 'her conceptions reflect that thirst for originality which presides over the renewal of stage design in the USSR' (quoted in: Chauvelin, p. 305). Many of her remarkable designs consider the role and essence of light and create what Chauvelin terms 'Light Sculptures' - ethereal constructions which at once define and elude space; objects on the edge of Materiality, 'almost mythical objects, at least as close to Suprematism than to Constructivism, which had been their starting point. Ekster had thus solved the fundamental contradiction of the Russian avant-garde' (Chauvelin, p. 307).

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