Lot 686 | Josef Albers | SP (Homage to the Square)

ALBERS, JOSEF
1888 Bottrop - 1976 New Haven/Connecticut

Title: SP (Homage to the Square).
Subtitle: 12-part portfolio work with various copy numbers.
Date: 1967.
Technique: Each: colour silkscreen on firm card.
Measurement: 50 x 50cm (61,5 x 61,5cm).
Notation: 
a) SP I: Titled, inscribed and numbered (by a hand other than that of the artist): SP I E.U. 14/18
b) SP II: Titled, numbered, monogrammed and dated (by the artist): SP II 91-125 A'67
c) SP III: Titled, inscribed and numbered (by a hand other than that of the artist): SP III E.U. 8/14
d) SP IV: Titled, inscribed and numbered (by a hand other than that of the artist): SP IV E.U 7/10
e) SP V: Titled, numbered, monogrammed and dated (by the artist): SP V 33-125 A'67
f) SP VI: Titled, inscribed, numbered, monogrammed and dated (by the artist): SP VI epreuve IV/XII A'67
g) SP VII: Titled, inscribed and numbered (by a hand other than that of the artist): SP VII E.U. 14/19
h) SP VIII: Titled, inscribed and numbered (by a hand other than that of the artist): SP VIII E.U. VI/VIII
i) SP IX: Titled, inscribed and numbered (by a hand other than that of the artist): SP IX E.U. 8/8
j) SP X: Titled, inscribed and numbered (by a hand other than that of the artist): SP X EU 14/17
k) SP XI: Titled, inscribed and numbered (by a hand other than that of the artist): SP XI E.U. 17/37
l) SP XII: Titled, numbered, monogrammed and dated (by the artist): SP XII 30-125 A'67
Publisher: Edition Domberger, Stuttgart und Edition Galerie Der Spiegel, Cologne (publisher).

Some of the sheets were published outside the edition of Galerie Der Spiegel and are labelled with a 'U' (= unsigned). Albers authorised the sale, but the sheets were not signed, dated, titled or inscribed. The sheets were therefore titled, labelled and numbered by Galerie Der Spiegel. We are grateful to Mr, Werner Hillmann, Galerie Der Spiegel, Cologne, for his scientific support.

Provenance:
- Galerie der Spiegel, Cologne
- Private collection North Rhine-Westphalia

Literature:
- Danilowitz, Brenda: The Prints of Josef Albers - A Catalogue Raisonné, 1915-1976, Manchester/New York 2010 (2nd ed.), cat. rais. nos. 175.1 - 175.12, ill.