The Little Tightrope Walker

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The Little Tightrope Walker

1914

Jacques Villon (Gaston Duchamp) (French, 1875–1963)

The comparison of this trial proof with an impression from the edition of fifty reveals the amount of experimentation and the kinds of changes Villon made in this important work. He was obviously most concerned with how the brightest areas of white were printing, for he removed many lines from areas of the proof that correspond to the brighter parts of the numbered print. The removal of those lines resulted not only in the clearer contrasts of light and shadow in the numbered print, but also in the greater legibility of its overall design. He also chose a whiter paper for the edition, replacing the warmer-toned paper that he used for the proof.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

The Little Tightrope Walker

Date:

1914

Artist:

Jacques Villon (Gaston Duchamp) (French, 1875–1963)

Medium:

Etching over drypoint

Dimensions:

Plate: 8 3/4 x 6 3/8 inches (22.2 x 16.2 cm) Sheet: 15 11/16 x 9 1/2 inches (39.8 x 24.1 cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

125th Anniversary Acquisition. Gift of The Judith Rothschild Foundation, 2001

Accession Number:

2001-9-21

Geography:

Made in France, Europe

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