FIVE FACES OF RIMBAUD BY PIGNON-ERNEST

PIGNON-ERNEST, Ernest. Regards Arthur Rimbaud. (Paris): Hubert Bouelle et Alin Avila, (1986). Five large original lithographs, measuring 14-1/2 by 18 inches. Housed in original window clamshell portfolio. $4200.

Exceptional signed limited edition of this artistic homage to Rimbaud, number 138 of only 200 copies (of 25 total sets), consisting of five original lithographic portraits of Rimbaud, one signed and numbered in pencil by Ernest, with tissue guards printed with five of Rimbaud’s poems.

These five original Pignon-Ernest lithographs are variations on his own trompe l’oeil “Rimbaud à Paris” (1978), through which he tried to capture the “face and character” of the 19th-century French poet. Pignon-Ernest is known for his beautiful life-sized trompe l’oeil drawings of human figures, which he affixes to the sides of buildings and leaves to weather. “He has been doing performance and installation work on and around city walls for thirty years, [transferring] paintings, drawings, and serigraphs onto buildings and telephone booths… Pignon-Ernest disdains art created for exhibitions and museums, and describes his work as a way to capture the essence of a place… These images become part of the urban architecture, accepted by the population, and protected against deterioration” (PicassoMio). Regards is accompanied by a brief essay on Pignon-Ernest by Alin Avila.

Prints fine. Light soiling to original portfolio. A wonderful work of art in fine condition.