Giorgio Morandi, Tennis Court, 1923-1957, Lithograph

Giorgio Morandi (1890-1964)
"Campo di Tennis ai Giardini Margherita a Bologna - Lastra Grande" (Tennis Court at Giardini Margherita in Bologna - Large Plate)
Lithograph on paper
Year (conceived): 1923
Year (printed): 1957
Size of the sheet: 392 x 287 mm
Size of the image: 163 x 205 mm
into the original folder with on laid paper
LIMITED edition of 1000, this one being number 107

Rare lithograph made in 1957 in a limited edition, under the supervision and care of the artist Giorgio Morandi himself, after an engraving from 1923.
The printing process of this edition lasted several years, and involved the artist, a curator, the publisher and more than one printing house: the idea was making into lithographs the etchings by the artist, then already highly appreciated, many of which survived in very few copies, even just one or two.
The result was a series of very high quality lithographs, identical to the etchings for size and details, as well as for the aesthetic aspect.
The date of completion of the artworks and the total edition and specific number are on the colophon: January 21, 1957.

Each artwork was contained in a folder made of refined laid paper.
On the top, one may find:
. the progressive number of the plate, in chronological order;
. the title of the artwork;
. the year the etching was made;
. the size of the image, with any notes (for example if the corners are rounded);
. the etching technique, where the plate is located (usually at the Calcografia Nazionale in Rome), and if the plate is signed and/or dated;
On the bottom instead:
. the states with any editions and/or known copies.

Thanks to the approval and effective participation of the artist, this lithograph is considered a work of great value, not only in view of the unavailability and cost of etchings, Morandi being internationally one of the most quoted and sought-after artists of the entire twentieth century.

The condition of this very lithograph is excellent.
It should be noted that the work is into the folder, but it is easily removable without damaging it in order to be hung: we prefer to keep it like this with the folder, precisely because it was the folder that protected it from the passage of time over the last 67 years. Thus, it is eventually the folder which bears any and almost invisible small signs of handling and wear, preserving the artwork itself.
The offer is therefore for the authentic 1957 lithograph as described, and includes the original folder but not the colophon, which is shown here for descriptive purposes .