Francis Picabia: Catalogue Raisonne Volume IV (1940-1953)

This publication is the fourth volume of a catalogue raisonné of Francis Picabia's work, featuring paintings and selected drawings from 1940 to 1952. During the war, Picabia focused on figural subjects, but later returned to abstract and non-objective art. He produced point or dot paintings in response to critical currents of the day, three years before his death in 1953.

Format: Hardback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

This publication marks the fourth installment in a significant catalogue raisonné dedicated to the extensive body of work created by the renowned artist Francis Picabia (1879-1953). Spanning from 1940 to 1952, this comprehensive collection encompasses a diverse range of paintings and selected drawings, showcasing Picabia's artistic journey during a pivotal period.

During the war years, while residing in the south of France, Picabia found himself deeply immersed in the realm of figural subjects. These included multi-figure allegories, evocative female nudes, and glamorous female portraits, all rendered in bold, illusionistic relief. Notably, even during his lifetime, most of these works gained recognition for their adaptation of photographic illustrations from older girly magazines and other popular media.

Upon his return to Paris in the post-war period, Picabia reignited his earlier interests in abstract and sometimes non-objective art. He continued to draw inspiration from a wide range of sources, ranging from prehistoric art to the profound writings of Nietzsche. Picabia's artistic responses to the critical currents of his time were characterized by a constant evolution and mutation, resulting in a series of profoundly reductive yet subtly effective point or dot paintings that began in 1949, just three years before his untimely passing due to ill-health.

This publication, generously distributed by Mercatorfonds, serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Francis Picabia, a visionary artist who pushed the boundaries of artistic expression and challenged the conventions of his time. Through his meticulous catalogue raisonné, Picabia's remarkable body of work continues to be explored, appreciated, and celebrated, leaving an indelible mark on the history of modern art.

Weight: 3054g
Dimension: 303 x 260 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300266962