Le Kiosque a Journaux, Two States
State 2
State 4
Jean-Emile Laboureur (1877-1943), Le Kiosque a Journaux, engraving, 1920-29. Two impressions, each signed, Godefroy, Sylvain Laboureur 198, states 2 and 4 (of 4). In very good condition; the state 4 impression with some folds, soiling at bottom edge, the state 2 impression with a repaired tear right margin edge. Each with wide margins, image size 11 7/8 x 8 1/8; state 2 sheet 15 5/8 x 10 1/4, state 4 sheet 19 1/2 x 12 5/8 inches, both archivally window mounted.
Fine impressions of this marvelous cubist composition; a study in Laboureur’s working method as he works from the nearly complete composition in state 2, adding many lines of shading, and a man to the left in the fourth state.
The state 2 impression is rare, one of only 7 or 8 impressions, and is annotated by Laboureur “deuxieme etat (7 - 8 epreuves)”. It is on a cream wove paper with an ARCHES watermark. In this state the windows at the left are still blank, and it is before a man has been added to the left side. The state 2 impressions were made in 1920.
In the state 4 impression, made in 1929, Laboureur adds much engraved cross-hatching, and notably adds a man in the white space at the left of the composition. There were only 18 impressions made of this 4th definitive state. This impression is on a cream wove paper with the BFK Rives watermark.
Le Kiosque is a fine example of Laboureur’s personal interpretation of cubism, as exemplified through his masterful engraving technique.
$3000 each; $5000 for the pair