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This Eduardo Paolozzi screenprint is composed with primary colors and black and white photographic imagery “collaged” in. Stripes and curvilinear forms merge in a vibrant exemplar of 60’s pop art, with elements of optical illusion and even psychedelia. The edition of 80 was printed in pairs, i.e. there were two of each of 40 different color combinations: this copy has only one with the same colors. This print is also related to ‘History of Nothing’ imagery.
Scottish artist of Italian descent Eduardo Paolozzi studied in London and then worked in Paris where he mingled with the original Surrealists: artists like Alberto Giacometti, Jean Arp, Constantin Brâncuși, Georges Braque and Fernand Léger. He was one of the founders of the British Independent Group in 1952, the precursor to the Pop Art movement.
Professor Michael Fourman at The University of Edinburgh, wrote: “Paolozzi was intrigued by genius and creativity. His heroes, Leonardo, Einstein, Wittgenstein, Freud, and Turing sought to explore the inner workings of the mind, the body and the world.” Einstein was a sort of muse to Paolozzi, serving as the subject of numerous portraits, as well as works such as this one which were inspired by his writings.
Paolozzi’s work and its reach were formidable: it ranges from screenprints and portfolios, to mosaic murals in the London subway, to album art for Paul McCartney, to a range of public sculptures and even commercial collaborations with high-end German porcelain studio Rosenthal.
Tafel 16 1964
Screenprint on Esparto Cartridge paper
26 x 11 in / 65 x 27 cm
Edition 80: this copy 62/80
printed in pairs: 2 of each of the 40 different color combinations.
Signed in pencil lower right, annotated “Color combinations in pairs” in pencil lower center
Some soft handling creases throughout, creased lower left corner
