This exquisite lithograph by Georges Braque (1882–1963), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from Les Paroles Transparentes (The Transparent Words), originates from the May 11, 1955 issue published by Les Bibliophiles de l’Union Francaise, Paris, under the direction of Monsieur Leon Leal, Paris, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, 1955. This visionary composition reflects Braque’s mastery of the lithographic medium, embodying his refined balance of structure, form, and poetic restraint through subtle tonal relationships and carefully constructed spatial harmony. The work conveys the artist’s unique ability to distill complex visual ideas into a language of quiet elegance and intellectual clarity, transforming the subject into a contemplative and deeply resonant image. Infused with a sense of equilibrium and meditative stillness, the composition exemplifies Braque’s enduring exploration of perception, materiality, and the poetic dimension of modern art.
Executed as a lithograph on velin Auvergne du Moulin Richard de Bas, filigrane paper, this work measures 17 x 12.75 inches, overall; 13.3 x 9.5 inches, image (43.18 x 32.39 cm; 33.78 x 24.13 cm). Unsigned and unnumbered as issued. The edition exemplifies the superb craftsmanship of the Mourlot Freres atelier, renowned for its collaborations with the greatest modern masters of the 20th century.
Artwork Details:
Artist: Georges Braque (1882–1963)
Title: Sans titre (Untitled), from Les Paroles Transparentes (The Transparent Words), May 11, 1955
Medium: Lithograph on velin Auvergne du Moulin Richard de Bas, filigrane paper
Dimensions: 17 x 12.75 inches, overall; 13.3 x 9.5 inches, image (43.18 x 32.39 cm; 33.78 x 24.13 cm)
Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered as issued
Date: 1955
Publisher: Les Bibliophiles de l’Union Francaise, Paris, under the direction of Monsieur Leon Leal
Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris
Catalogue raisonne references: Vallier, Dora, et al. Braque, the Complete Graphics: Catalogue Raisonne. Translated by Robert Bononno, Gallery Books, 1988, illustration 102.
Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium
Provenance: From Les Paroles Transparentes, published by Les Bibliophiles de l’Union Francaise, Paris, 1955
Notes:
Excerpted from the folio (translated from French), This work, produced under the direction of Felia Leal for Les Bibliophiles de l’Union Francaise, Madame Felia Leal and Monsieur Maurice Gonon being commissioners of the work, was completed printing in Paris on May 11, 1955. The typography in Kennerley corps 18 is by Fequet and Baudier. The lithographs were printed on the presses of Fernand Mourlot. The stones were effaced after printing. All examples are signed by the author, the artist, and the president of the society on the colophon. Of this work published by Les Bibliophiles de l’Union Francaise, Monsieur Leon Leal being president, it was printed on Auvergne du Moulin Richard de Bas, filigrane with the signature of the artist: C examples, nominative, numbered I to C. XXII examples, nominative, numbered I to XXII, of which III reserved for the author, VIII for the illustrator, and IX for the collaborators. V examples, nominative, reserved for the society, marked A to E. It was also printed on Japon: V examples, nominative, numbered I to V, of which I for the author, II for the illustrator, and II for the commissioners of the work.
About the Publication:
Les Paroles Transparentes (The Transparent Words), published on May 11, 1955 by Les Bibliophiles de l’Union Francaise in Paris under the direction of Monsieur Leon Leal and printed by Mourlot Freres, represents a distinguished example of mid-20th century French bibliophile publishing. Conceived as a synthesis of poetry and visual art, the publication brings together refined typography, carefully selected materials, and original lithographic works to create a cohesive and elevated artistic object. Produced with exceptional attention to detail, the work reflects the collaborative efforts of master printers, typographers, and artists, embodying the traditions of fine French printing while embracing modern artistic innovation. The use of velin Auvergne du Moulin Richard de Bas paper, along with specialized impressions on Japon, underscores the publication’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship. As a complete artistic endeavor, Les Paroles Transparentes stands as an important testament to the enduring relationship between literature and the visual arts, and to the role of the illustrated folio in advancing modern artistic expression.
About the Artist:
Georges Braque (1882–1963) was a French painter, printmaker, sculptor, and collagist whose visionary innovations and lifelong pursuit of balance, structure, and poetic form made him one of the most influential figures in 20th-century art. Born in Argenteuil-sur-Seine and raised in Le Havre, Braque began as a decorative painter before studying at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and the Academie Humbert in Paris, where he absorbed the vibrant colorism of the Fauves and the structural logic of Paul Cezanne. His encounter with Pablo Picasso in 1907 led to one of the most groundbreaking collaborations in art history—the invention of Cubism—a movement that redefined visual perception by fragmenting form, rejecting single-point perspective, and reconstructing reality into a multidimensional experience. Between 1908 and 1914, Braque and Picasso revolutionized painting through Analytical Cubism, a style characterized by muted palettes, overlapping planes, and a focus on underlying structure rather than surface appearance. In 1912, Braque pioneered papier colle, the first use of collage in fine art, incorporating wallpaper and printed paper into his compositions and forever changing the relationship between art and the material world. After World War I, he returned to painting with renewed sensitivity, developing a lyrical and introspective form of Synthetic Cubism distinguished by harmony, rhythm, and a meditative sense of stillness. His still lifes, musical instruments, and interior scenes became metaphors for balance and contemplation, uniting intellect and emotion in perfect equilibrium. Immersed in the Parisian avant-garde, Braque worked alongside and exchanged ideas with Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, each of whom shared his passion for redefining the boundaries of modern art. His innovations in form, collage, and spatial construction deeply influenced later artists, including Jean Dubuffet, Nicolas de Stael, Henry Laurens, Ellsworth Kelly, Richard Diebenkorn, and Jasper Johns, shaping the course of postwar abstraction and modern design. In 1961, Braque became the first living artist to have a solo exhibition at the Louvre, a recognition of his monumental impact on modern aesthetics. His works are now housed in major museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and remain sought after for their intellectual depth and timeless serenity. His highest auction record was achieved by Paysage a la Ciotat, which sold for $15.8 million at Sotheby’s, New York, in 2013, reaffirming Georges Braque’s legacy as one of the founding architects of Cubism and a master whose art continues to define the modern age.
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