James COIGNARD

(1925 Tours – 2008 Antibes)

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Chaises sur la montagne - 1994

Complete set of etchings in carborundum with collage and handcolouring. Each signed and inscribed HC X/XX in pencil, artist’s proofs aside from the edition of 75. Published by Galerie Raphaël, Frankfurt am Main. Paper: Moulin Larroque Pombié.

Size of page: 46 x 33 cm.

Bergström, Gunnar et al. James Coignard. Catalogue raisonné de l'Oeuvre grave, Editions Sonet, n°855 to 857.

James Cognard: Chaises sur la Montagne (Chairs on the Mountain)

The abstract artist James Coignard was a painter, ceramist, sculptor and etcher. During his early years as an artist, his contact with Braque and Chagall influenced his artistic development, especially regarding the choice of colours. Coignard is especially renowned for his use of vibrant primary colours and for his technical versatility.

The technical turning point for the artist occurs in 1968 when his friend Henri Goetz, French-American Surrealist painter and printmaker, discovers a new etching technique, using carborundum. Etching then becomes central in the artist’s work.

Carborundum is a combined product of silicon and carbon, which is crystalline in nature and is similar to coal. Once dried, this very hard material has a relief. So, it doesn’t incise a plate but rather uses it as a support for the added material. This material has the advantage of retaining the ink with a wide variety of shades and structures.

James Cognard: Chaises sur la Montagne (Chairs on the Mountain)

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