César Baldaccini dit CÉSAR (1921-1998), after - Lot 127

César Baldaccini dit CÉSAR (1921-1998), after Poule Lithograph and collage of pen, stamp, aluminum foil and gold leaf particles on paper Signed in the plate lower right Presented on a paper background decorated in light relief with a lace network 15 x 24 cm (view) (Flying gold leaf debris) NOTICE César Baldaccini, known as César (1921-1998), is best known for his sculptures and his role in the Nouveau Réalisme movement, but he also explored the world of prints, a lesser-known but equally important aspect of his artistic career. Although most famous for his Compressions and Expansions, César transposed his inventive spirit and interest in industrial forms and materials into graphic art. In his prints, César uses a variety of techniques such as lithography and silkscreen. These graphic works reflect his industrial aesthetic and his taste for the accumulation and transformation of objects. Like his sculptures, César's prints reflect a fascination with materials and the creative process. His works on paper take a similar approach to his sculptures, with games of superimposition, visual compression, and experimentation with textures and colors. His printmaking is often based on his three-dimensional works, exploring recurring themes in his art, such as the organic forms of Expansions or the more rigid, mechanical aspects of Compressions. Prints allow him to experiment with more accessible formats and expand his plastic vocabulary to new visual expressions. César's prints, though abstract, retain a raw energy that is characteristic of his work. Through printmaking, César has collaborated with several renowned art publishers and studios to produce limited editions, some of which are now particularly sought-after by collectors. These works testify to the diversity of his talent and his ability to adapt his concepts to different media, while maintaining a coherent artistic approach. César thus follows in the footsteps of contemporary artists such as Arman and Pierre Soulages, who have also taken advantage of printmaking to explore new dimensions in their work, while remaining true to their sculptural concerns.