Photo 1/1 du lot
Maître Nicolas CONSTANTY

369 - Camille Hilaire (1916-2004) - Printers at the press.
See original version (French)

Estimate €30 - €40
Sale commission
Description
Camille Hilaire (1916-2004) - Printers at the press. Original lithograph on pearlescent wove paper, 31.5 x 44 cm. Signed in pencil by the artist. Condition A- (presence of a vertical fold in the centre, not affecting the pictorial layer). This work is a vibrant and meta-artistic tribute to the craft of lithography, a subject particularly dear to Camille Hilaire, who frequented the greatest Parisian workshops throughout his career. In this composition, the artist uses his usual plastic language - tempered, dynamic cubism - to decompose the movement of the printers and the imposing structure of the press. The choice of pearlescent vellum paper adds a precious dimension and an iridescent luminosity that magnifies the contrasts in colour and the depth of the blacks. Hilaire succeeds in transforming a scene of technical labour into a choreography of interlocking geometric shapes, where the light flows between the arms of the craftsmen and the rollers of the machine. The artist's confident brushstrokes underline the strength and precision required by this craft, creating a perfect harmony between the subject and the technique employed. Despite the vertical fold in the centre, a sign of the handling associated with its history, the plate retains all its chromatic power and the finesse of the print. The artist's hand signature confirms the authenticity of this print, which celebrates the unbreakable bond between creator and printer. It's a sought-after collector's item for its rare theme, its exceptional support and the structural mastery Hilaire demonstrates here.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Collection of an ink merchant, sale of posters n°17 and miscellaneous.
Auction location
Auction time 06/12/2026 at 1:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like