Tête de Montagne (Mountain Head)
Original Color Lithograph on paper, Artist's Proof • Armand Guillaumin (Posthumous or School of) or more likely a 20th-century Neo-Expressionist inspired by Fauvism. Signature appears typical of later French Expressionist printmakers like Pierre-Auguste Lignon or similar associates.
Style & Movement
Neo-Expressionist / Fauvist-inspired Modernism
Medium & Technique
Multi-stone color lithography using layered ink application and vigorous gestural mark-making on the stones to emulate expressionistic brushwork.
Creation Period
Circa 1970 - 1985
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 76 x 56 cm (Full sheet), Portrait orientation
Subject Description
An anthropomorphic landscape depicting a mountain peak that takes on the suggestion of a facial profile or 'head'. The foreground features structured, geometric linear forms suggesting architectural remains or terracing, while the background uses a vibrant, fiery palette of oranges and reds against a pale blue sky.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; the paper is bright with no visible foxing, tears, or light-staining in the margins.
Estimated Market Value
$800 - $1,500
Auction Estimate
$600 - $900
Provenance History
Marked 'E.A.' (Épreuve d'Artiste), indicating it was an artist's proof outside the numbered edition. Likely originated from a French or European private collection or atelier archive.
Art Historical Significance
The work represents the late 20th-century resurgence of 'Heads' and 'Landscapes' as a singular motif, popularized by artists who blended the tactile energy of Abstract Expressionism with recognizable figurative forms. Its significance lies in the masterly control of lithographic layering to achieve the luminosity of an oil painting.
Notable Features
Includes the 'E.A.' pencil inscription on the lower left and a fluid, stylized pencil signature on the lower right. The contrast between the rigid, structural foreground and the organic, sweeping curves of the mountain peak is a defining characteristic.
Condition Issues
None visible. Minor undulation of the paper edge consistent with hand-pulled printing processes.
Conservation Recommendations
Should be framed using archival-quality acid-free matting and UV-protective glazing to prevent ink fading. Avoid hanging in direct sunlight.