Olla Art recently acquired two special etchings by Asger Jorn, both artist’s proofs, from 1958. Both etchings were printed in an edition of fifty copies.
What is special about these proofs is that both deviate from the final printed edition. Less special for Jorn, since he experimented to his heart’s content throughout his artistic career, which manifested itself in his etching work through several states and proofs.
Black and ochre
On the right is an image of one of the two etchings. It is an etching with aquatint, finished with drypoint. In the catalogue of Jorn’s graphic work (Weihrauch, 1976; Presler, 2009) it is described and depicted as number 206. However, there is a difference. The proof was not coloured in black and ochre, as in the final edition, but only in black ink. It is therefore a unique copy.
The etching was published by Edition van de Loo in Munich, and printed by Asger Jorn, in collaboration with Heimrad Prem & H.P. Zimmer, on the press of the Akademie der Bildende Kunste of Munich.
Intermediate state
Two states of the other etching are described and depicted under the numbers 210 and 210a in the catalogue of Jorn’s graphic work (Weihrauch, 1976). The later, updated edition of the working catalogue (Presler, 2009) depicts only number 210, the version of the final printed edition. Variant 210a is referred to as ‘Zustandsdruck’ and is clearly a preliminary stage of the final version.
Asger Jorn, untitled, 1958
Etching with drypoint, 26.3 x 21 cm (image)
Reference: Van de Loo 210
Asger Jorn, untitled, 1958
Etching with aquatint, 26.3 x 21 cm (image)
Reference: Van de Loo 206
The proof offered by Olla Art forms an ‘intermediate state’, but comes close to the edition of the printed version. It is a bit more ‘transparent’ and is certainly not inferior to the final version.
Like the other etching, this unique ‘épreuve d’artiste’ was published by Edition van de Loo in Munich, and printed by Asger Jorn, together with Heimrad Prem & H.P. Zimmer, on the press of the Munich Akademie der Bildende Kunste.
Information
Both etchings are professionally framed in a sleek walnut frame.
A short biography and more work by Asger Jorn can be found here.
Also read the Olla Art newsletter about Jorn and his graphic work. Want to subscribe? Click here.
Mail us for more information about these new acquisitions: info@olla-art.com.
References
Weihrauch, Jürgen (ed.) (1976). Asger Jorn. Werkverzeichnis Druckgrafik. Munich: Galerie van de Loo.
Presler, Gerd (ed.) (2009). Asger Jorn. Werkverzeichnis der Druckgrafik. Catalogue Raisonné of Prints. Munich/Silkeborg: Galerie van de Loo/Silkeborg Kunstmuseum.