Alpha 137 Gallery and Art Advisory

In business for nearly two decades, we are a well established, popular contemporary art boutique specializing in expertly chosen prints, multiples, and unique sculptures, design objects, works on paper and paintings by recognized artists, with a focus on the secondary market. We also have an impressive selection of scarce and coveted art historical ephemera, monographs and merchandise at different price points. Discover our small business: one of the best kept secrets in the art world, and join our ever-growing family of art lovers - from first time collectors to seasoned fine art professionals. Please note that works are available for purchase exclusively online, and we are not able to accommodate requests for in person viewings at this time.

For a short order art appraisal, please click the "Art Appraisal Services" option above. To reach us, click on the

An educated collector is our best client

Jean Dubuffet, ALGEBRE DE L'HOURLOUPE, 1968

Name: Jean Dubuffet, ALGEBRE DE L'HOURLOUPE, 1968
Brand: Jean Dubuffet
Availability: OutOfStock

Jean Dubuffet

email info@alpha137gallery.com for price

Fixed Shipping Cost:

£56.30

Current Stock:

Jean Dubuffet

ALGEBRE DE L'HOURLOUPE , 1968

52 Color Screenprints on Cardstock + Title Card, Held in Screenprinted Box

7 1/4 × 5 in

18.4 × 12.7 cm

Edition of 2500

Here is the rare, original first edition set of 52 limited edition silkscreens on card stock, each titled in French on the back of the card along with the title silkscreen. It is held in the original cardboard slipcase with screenprinted title on cover. Here - Dubuffet ingeniously takes the format of a deck of cards, with 52 playing cards, but they otherwise don't resemble the cards we know. For the card game "Algebra of Hourloupe" - he creates 52 large silkscreen figures (much larger than a normal set of playing cards, and otherwise unrelated to the suite of cards as we know them), Dubuffet composed - or extrapolated, as he says it - 52 curious and ambiguous figures. His "algebra," however, rests entirely on the spontaneous inventiveness, done in his own hand and distinctive style, which creatd the original lines, shapes, and images for these "cards". They thus reveal a dog, a clown, a rocket or two entwined people only to better conceal them immediately in order to drive the imagination in another direction. Algèbre de l'Hourloupe is a wonderful, fantasy deck of cards from Dubuffet's rich imagination. There is overall grubbiness and agewear and corner bumping, time staining staining, etc. to the exterior vintage box -- definitely vintage, but sturdy -- but the 53 silkscreens housed inside are in very good condition, with no bending, staining etc. A wonderful, whimsical and quirky piece of art historical ephemera - and a great value, as these 52 silkscreens can be laid side by side and framed as one composite -- or held in the box as a wonderful conversation piece. RARE.

Bibliography: Reproduced in "Jean Dubuffet: The engraved work and books Illustrated "by Sophie Webel, Vol. II, Editions Galerie Baudoin Lebon, Paris, 1991, pages 1048 and 1049 (2 plates) and in "Catalog of the works of Jean Dubuffet - Volume 22, Maps, Utensils", by Max Loreau, Paris, 1972, pages 160-161.

unsigned

Provenance: Doyle Inc.

Literature: Bibliography: Reproduced in "Jean Dubuffet: The engraved work and books Illustrated "by Sophie Webel, Vol. II, Editions Galerie Baudoin Lebon, Paris, 1991, pages 1048 and 1049 (2 maps) and in "Catalog of the works of Jean Dubuffet - Volume 22, Maps, Utensils", by Max Loreau, Paris, 1972, pages 160-161.