Jusqu’au 30 mai 1953…Vernissage le 5 mai à 17 heures.
Paper cutout in the shape of two hands. [Paris: A L’Etoile Scellée, 1953].
The scarce and delightful invitation — in the shape of two hands — for a Toyen exhibition held at A L’Etoile Scellée in May 1953. Managed by André Breton, the gallery was financially supported by the gallerist Sophie Babet. Located on rue du Pré aux Clercs in the 7th arrondissement, the gallery served as an influential center of Surrealism from 1952 to 1956. Breton was responsible for a bold program, inviting unheralded abstract and Surrealist artists.
Toyen (1902-80), born Marie Cermínová, was one of the earliest Surrealists in Czechoslovakia, and from 1935 developed a close relationship with Breton. For much of their life, Toyen preferred the gender-neutral name “Toyen,” taken from the French citoyen. They had two solo exhibitions at A L’Etoile Scellée; this piece marks the first, and the second took place in May 1955. Galerie Denise René had given them their first postwar solo show in June-July 1947.
This exhibition announcement bears short quotations by Péret, Breton, J. Schuster, J. L. Bédouin, B. Roger, G. Legrand, J. Heisler, and a checklist of the 14 works exhibited.
In near fine condition; very minor wear to the wrists.
❧ Oxford Art Online. For further details on invitations created by A L’Etoile Scellée, see Stephen J. Bury’s article on the Frick Art Research Library website, “The Surrealists and A L’Etoile scellée” (accessed 17 February 2021).
Price: $600.00
Item ID: 7571
