444 - After Georges BRAQUE (1882–1963)

After Georges BRAQUE (1882–1963) “Tithonos” Lithograph on embossed Arches vellum paper gilded with 23K fine gold (958.3/1000) Based on the series “Homage to Braque’s Jewelry” by Heger de Löwenfeld Signed and numbered 66/200 in pencil in the lower right corner Engraved “G. Braque” in the lower right corner, with the inscriptions “Homage to Braque’s Jewelry,” “TITHONOS,” “23-karat fine gold,” and “sculpt. Heger de Löwenfeld” engraved at the bottom 38 x 56 cm. (Minor signs of wear) Note: This lithograph is part of the artistic legacy of Georges Braque, a major figure in modern art, whose work explores the connections between form, material, and poetry. In particular, it evokes the unique world of Braque’s “Precious Sculptures and Jewelry,” which were showcased during the famous historic exhibition held from December 2, 1970, to January 15, 1971, at the Moulin de Vauboyen in Bièvres. This exhibition attests to the richness of an artistic language in which painting, sculpture, and jewelry come together in a shared quest for balance and expression. Catalog Entry: To supplement the note above, it is worth noting that the collaboration between Georges Braque and the gem cutter and diamond dealer Heger de Löwenfeld began in 1961. Braque provided drawings and gouaches, and Löwenfeld transformed them into three-dimensional works. Thus, approximately 110 gouaches gave rise, primarily in 1962 and 1963, to the “Metamorphoses” series: brooches, necklaces, and rings featuring birds in flight and figures from Greek mythology, which were exhibited at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in the spring of 1963, the year of the painter’s death. A co-founder of Cubism alongside Pablo Picasso and a friend of poets such as René Char, Braque entered the realm of artist jewelry through this venture. Around the same time, goldsmith François Hugo created pieces with Picasso, Max Ernst, and Jean Arp. After 1963, Löwenfeld continued to produce works inspired by gouaches, including this lithograph based on the artist’s work.