Fernand LegerLes Deux Visages. 1951.

Original lithograph in colours. 1951. Signed in strong ballpoint ink. Numbered (26) in pencil from the edition of 75. Drawn and printed at the studio of Mourlot, Paris 1951. Issued by Galerie Leiris, Paris 1951.

Note: An unusually brilliant impression, with very strong unfaded colours, of Leger's most important lithograph from the period of the 1950's. The ball point signature totally fresh (it has frequently faded from light over the years). On pale cream wove Arches paper. Full margins. Sheet: 50.8 x 66.0 cm. Image: 33.5 x 40.7 cm. 13 1/4 x 16 ins.

Provenance: US Collection.

Reference: Saphire - Leger The Complete Graphic Works no 116.

'The Two Faces' 'Les Deux Visages' is generally considered to be Leger's finest work in colour lithography from the beginning of the 1950's. It marks the outset of his interest in using bold stylised figure forms with a linking 'Tête de Femme' theme. The images combine his use of bold brush strokes to define form and smooth essentially non-figurative colour - a proto-abstract simplification and emphasis on shape and surface - together with an underlying and sensitive expression of emotion.