Phases of the Moon (unique state) by Bernard Childs

Phases of the Moon (unique state) by Bernard Childs

Phases of the Moon (unique state)

Bernard Childs

Please call us at 707-546-7352 or email artannex@aol.com to purchase this item.
Title

Phases of the Moon (unique state)

 
Artist

Bernard Childs

  1910 - 1985 (biography)
Year
1966  
Technique
color power engraving, power drills, burrs, saws and hand burins. 
Image Size
11 11/16 x 19 3/8" platemark 
Signature
pencil, lower left 
Edition Size
1/1 (unique proof); total printing of 14 A/Ps and 18 state proofs (such as this). 
Annotations
pencil titled 'unique state and color proof for "Phases of the Moon"'; pencil dated and editioned 
Reference
 
Paper
cream Arches Velin watermarked wove 
State
unique proof 
Publisher
artist 
Inventory ID
PAMI122 
Price
$3,000.00 
Description

Bernard Childs did 18 state proofs of "Phases of the Moon", numbered 1 through 18. He also printed an "edition" of 14 artist's proofs numbered 1/14 - 14/14. He printed all these himself on his press in Harrison, New York, where it had been shipped from Paris.

The 18 state proofs varied dramatically from each other as he experimented with different color combinations, which he printed simultaneously using the differing viscosities of the inks, a technique developed at Atelier 17.

This impression was his first proof, before he added three circular shapes - "moons" - to either side of the central mass. In the later impressions the circles are printed dark and light and the colors are more subdued.

Judith Childs commented on this work: "The first five states emphasize calligraphic elements in the plate & make male forms clear. State proof #8 (in the Brooklyn Museum) and state proof #9 emphasize the sensual female form before introduction of orbits and phases of the moon."

Other state proofs are held at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Newark Public Library, New York Public Library and the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers. Impressions of this work were included in numerous exhibitions in America and Europe.

 

Please call us at 707-546-7352 or email artannex@aol.com to purchase this item.