Hans Bellmer, Etching And Drypoint, 1975

Hans Bellmer (1902-1975), Etching and drypoint, 1975. One of twelve non-commercial etchings. Plate: 50.2 cm x 32.7 cm; Subject: 21 cm x 13 cm. This etching is from the limited edition of the famous review Obliques dedicated to Hans Bellmer, published in April 1975 by Borderie Editions. Until his death on February 23, 1975, Hans Bellmer actively participated in the development of this review. This numbered edition of the review Obliques was printed in 150 copies with an original etching signed and numbered by Bellmer on large vellum from Lana paper mills, including: 99 copies numbered from 1 to 99; 39 copies numbered from I to XXXIX and 12 non-commercial copies marked HC, as indicated by the colophon (absent in the current edition): All these copies are accompanied by an original etching (reproduced in negative on page 194 of this issue) signed by Hans Bellmer.

The colophon shown in the photos is from a limited edition copy of Obliques review from a private collection.
Our engraving is sold separately without the review.

Hans Bellmer (1902–1975), a German artist associated with the Surrealist movement, is best known for his articulated dolls with distorted proportions, which he photographed and staged. However, his graphic work, particularly his etchings, occupies a central place in his exploration of the themes of eroticism, violence and the unconscious. Bellmer's etchings, often done with etching or drypoint, extend his plastic obsessions. They represent fragmented bodies, impossible anatomies, and scenes where desire and suffering intertwine. These works, both poetic and cruel, reflect a quest for liberation from social and moral norms, typical of surrealism. Inspired by the writings of Georges Bataille and the psychoanalytic theories of Freud, Bellmer used engraving to explore the darkest recesses of the human psyche. His techniques, such as distorting perspectives or assembling fragments, create a destabilizing effect on the viewer.