PIASA and the art consulting company INGERT are honoured to hold an auction of books from the library of Lilette and Sam Szafran on Tuesday, June 28.
Featuring 62 lots, the auction catalogue offers a remarkable inventory of artists' books published in the 20th century, including works by Picasso, Matisse, Fautrier and Dubuffet.
"Usually, after the death of an artist, the atelier and its inventory become the centre of attention. This journey into the private and hidden sphere of the library, which is frequently dispersed before it can be catalogued, is an opportunity to access a fragment of precious references. If Sam Szafran's work is far from being neglected - a monographic exhibition will be held this autumn at the Musée de L'Orangerie in Paris - the presentation of part of his books collection will, hopefully, allow us to get a little closer to this fertile universe that nourishes his work."
*Extract from the catalogue. Texts by François Cam-Drouhin et Guillaume Ingert.
This collection includes publications by leading artists that Sam Szafran has a deep admiration for: Alberto Giacometti, who influenced Szafran's development as an artist; Picasso, the model he wanted to surpass; Odilon Redon and Jean Fautrier, who illustrate his fascination with the material; and literary works such as those by Arthur Rimbaud and Raymond Roussel.
The books on display are also the indelible signs of sincere and deep friendships, such as those with the photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson or the poet Fouad El-Etr, founder of the publishing house La Délirante, which has published several of Sam Szafran's artistic projects. The selection therefore includes three books produced by the artist, including the one entitled Là où finit ton corps (1982), whose artist's copy was illuminated by Sam Szafran, with 9 prints enhanced with watercolours.
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Pierre Reverdy (1889-1960)
Le chant des morts
Estimate: 3 000 / 4 000 €
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Fernando De Rojas (1465-1541)
La Célestine
Estimate: 15 000 / 20 000 €
Henri Matisse (1869-1954), Pierre Reverdy (1889-1960)
Visages
Estimate: 6 000 / 8 000 €
Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985)
Ler dla Canpane, [Paris] : L'Art Brut, 1948
Estimation : 2 000 / 3 000 €
Sam Szafran (1934-2019)
La Délirante. Revue de Poésie
Estimation : 4 000 / 6000 €
