Jean Signovert (1919-1981), Untitled, 1959, Ink On Paper

Jean Signovert (1919-1981)
Untitled, 1959
Ink on paper
Signed, dated “59” and dedicated “Pour Madame Claude Goldschmidt” lower right
Dimensions of the work: 29 x 14.5 cm
Dimensions of the old frame: 47 x 30 cm


Painter from the School of Paris born in 1919, Jean Signovert first learned about engraving with Abel Renault in 1938 and at the same time obtained a mechanic's certificate. After the Second World War, he concentrated on his artistic training and joined the school of fine arts in Saint-Etienne. In 1946, he met Aimé Maeght who quickly exhibited him in his gallery as part of the Les mains azzlees group, bringing together young post-war abstract artists such as Pierre Dmitrienko, Bernard Quentin and Youla Chapoval. He participated for the first time in the Salon des Réalités Nouvelles in 1948.

Jean Signovert evolved within the literary and artistic Paris of his time. His talents as an engraver led to several collaborations with great masters such as Georges Braque, for whom he engraved for five years, Jean Fautrier, Serge Poliakoff and Jean Arp. He also produces considerable abstract work with a predilection for the paper medium. His charcoal drawings and gouaches on paper enjoyed great success during his lifetime. He thus creates very free abstract compositions with subtle geometry suggesting a dreamlike and poetic universe.