It is no coincidence that galerie Orbis Pictus is celebrating its inauguration with the exhibition “Joseph Šima and Henri Michaux”. The two artists, who died in 1981 and 1984 respectively, will be shown here in a tête-à-tête encounter for the first time, even though they had been had been represented by the same art dealers/galleries since the 1960s, had lived in the had lived in neighbouring apartments on the same Paris street in the late 1940s, and had known each other, two foreigners living in the French capital since the 1920s.
1 – Henri Michaux
L’homme qui pleure, 1973
Watercolor on Arches paper
57 x 38 cm
2 – Joseph Šima
Impasse, 1968
Oil on canvas
54 x 65 cm
The first was born Czech, the second Belgian, but both became Parisians by choice. Paris continued to inspire artists from all over the world, because the City of Light fascinated them with its diversity, its avant-gardes, and its freedom. Galerie Orbis pictus aims to revive this tradition, so admirably carried on by our predecessors Thessa and Jacques Herold at 7, rue de Thorigny. During their 25-year career in the Marais, they presented a vibrant community of artists from all over the world, including Sima and Michaux. This exhibition is our way of paying tribute to them.
A 120-pages catalogue has been specially published for the occasion, with a preface by Yves Peyré.
Works
Henri Michaux
Sans titre, 1978
India ink and gouache on paper
55 x 36 cm
Joseph Šima
Lumière bleue, 1958
Oil on canvas
50 x 61 cm
Joseph Šima
Antée, 1958
Oil on canvas
92 x 73 cm
Henri Michaux
Sans titre, 1984
Oil and Indian ink on canvas board
19 x 24 cm
Henri Michaux
Sans titre, 1984
Acrylic on cardboard
33 x 41 cm
Henri Michaux
L’homme qui pleure, 1973
Watercolor on Arches paper
57 x 38 cm
Joseph Šima
Impasse, 1968
Oil on canvas
54 x 65 cm
Joseph Šima
Porte d’Orphée, 1957
Charcoal on paper
50 x 67 cm
Henri Michaux
Peinture, 1976
Watercolor and India ink on canvas board
50 x 65 cm
Henri Michaux
Sans titre, 1984
India ink and acrylic on cardboard and plywood
22 x 33 cm
Artists
Henri Michaux
