Graphics

Though le Brocquy is, of course, known primarily as a painter, he has also been an accomplished printmaker. His exploration of the possibilities of etching and lithography began at the Central School of Arts & Crafts in London in 1947 and he has produced over one hundred and fifty prints in subsequent decades. Lithography has remained his preferred print medium though hehas also made aquatints and carborundum prints. No account of le Brocquy's engagement with print can ignore a succession of exquisite artist's books, and his justly celebrated illustrations of Thomas Kinsella's English translation of Ireland's "national epic", The Táin, must also be noted in this context. Among the many collaborations with Irish writers, notably his friends Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney, le Brocquy is perhaps best known for his lithographic brush drawings for Thomas Kinsella's renowned translation of the Táin in 1969, held to be the great Irish Livre d'Artiste of the twentieth century. In 1988 it was at Samuel Beckett's personal request that le Brocquy illustrated his valedictory book, Stirrings Still (New York: Blue Moon Books in association with John Calder Publications Ltd., London 1988). Limited edition of 200 numbered copies, signed by the author and artist on colophon (26 proofs lettered A to Z hors commerce). One original two-tone sanguine lithograph frontispiece Study of Samuel Beckett, and eight original black and white lithographic brush drawings, on handmade deckle edged Velin de Rives made by Arjomari, France. Printed by the Atelier Chave, Vence. Samuel Beckett's valedictory work designed by Peter Wildbur for Barney Rosset and John Calder. Text set by Apex Typesetting Limited in Monotype Garamond 156, printed by lithography by Pierre Chave. Large folio, page size 33.3 x 22.5 cm, quarter bound in parchment by Etablissements Dermont-Duval, Paris. Further important illustrated works include J.M. Synge's The Playboy of the Western World, 1970; Desmond O'Grady's The Gododdin, 1977; Andrew Carpenter's Eight Irish Writers, 1981 and James Joyce's Dubliners, 1986 [Robert Scholes' 1967 corrected edition] (Mountrath, Co. Laois: Dolmen Editions, Dolmen Press Ltd, 1986). Limited edition of 500 numbered copies, signed by the artist on colophon (copies 401-500 hors-commerce). Ninety black and white lithographic brush drawings on white wove mouldmade rag specially made at Saint Cuthbert's Mill, Somerset, printed at the September Press, Wellingborough England by Christopher Skelton and Alan Bultitude. Designed by Liam Miller. Imperial octavo, cased in full natural Irish linen lettered in gold and stamped on each side in a design by the artist. [Robert Scholes' 1967 corrected edition] (Mountrath, Co. Laois: Dolmen Editions, Dolmen Press Ltd, 1986). Limited edition of 500 numbered copies, signed by the artist on colophon (copies 401-500 hors-commerce). Ninety black and white lithographic brush drawings on white wove mouldmade rag specially made at Saint Cuthbert's Mill, Somerset, printed at the September Press, Wellingborough. Designed by Liam Miller. The text is composed in Monotype cutting of the Joanna typeface designed by Eric Gill, printed in letterpress. Imperial octavo, cased in full natural Irish linen lettered in gold and stamped on each side in a design by the artist. Housed in publisher's hazel-brown cloth slipcase. Shadows, Portfolio edition containing twenty-two lithographic drawings of Joyce's Dublin. A selection from the lithographs illustrating Dubliners, published by Dolmen Press. Ltd ed. of 35 proofs on sheets of handmade Japanese paper, 32 x 45 cm. Each proof numbered and dated by the artist (10 proofs hors-commerce, 5 Artist's proofs). Printed by the Atelier Chave, Vence. Large folio, unbound with title page.