Claude Weisbuch: 15 Original Drypoint Prints Inspired by Corneille's "Horace"
Galerie 125 presents a new selection of 15 original drypoint prints by Claude Weisbuch, created in 1995 to illustrate Horace, the famous tragedy by Pierre Corneille.
These engravings showcase Weisbuch's virtuosity in drawing, his interest in theater, and his ability to capture the movement of bodies with remarkable freedom.
From a bibliophile edition published by Les Pharmaciens Bibliophiles, these 15 original prints are available for sale individually at Galerie 125.
Claude Weisbuch, a Master of Engraving and Movement
Born in 1927 in Thionville and passing away in 2014, Claude Weisbuch is one of the great representatives of French figurative painting and engraving in the second half of the 20th century.
His work is immediately recognizable for the freedom of his lines and his interest in movement.
Musicians, actors, riders, and theater characters populate his paintings, drawings, lithographs, and original engravings.
In Weisbuch's art, the drawing does not seek to freeze a pose. Instead, it aims to capture a gesture, a tension, or a moment of life.
This sensitivity explains the significant role played by the performing arts and literature in his graphic work.
"Horace" by Pierre Corneille Illustrated by Claude Weisbuch
With Horace, Claude Weisbuch engages with one of the great tragedies of French classical theater.
Written by Pierre Corneille, this play depicts the conflict between personal feelings, family ties, and duty to the city.
WEISBUCH Claude - Original Engraving "Horace XIII" 32x25cm - 1995
This subject resonates particularly well with Weisbuch's work, where characters often appear caught in the midst of action.
The artist goes beyond merely illustrating the text. His engravings extend the dramatic intensity of the play and give a physical presence to Corneille's characters.
Fifteen Original Drypoint Prints by Claude Weisbuch
WEISBUCH Claude - Original Engraving "Horace, Portrait" 32x25cm - 1995
Created in 1995, these 15 original drypoint prints by Claude Weisbuch were made to illustrate Horace by Pierre Corneille.
Drypoint is an intaglio engraving technique where the artist draws directly onto a metal plate using a pointed tool.
Unlike a printed reproduction of a drawing, each print results from inking and pressing the engraved plate.
This technique suits Claude Weisbuch particularly well.
It allows him to preserve the spontaneity of his lines, his nervous strokes, and his characteristic overlays. The characters seem to emerge from the engraving, sometimes suggested by just a few movements.
In this series inspired by Horace, the drypoint prints add an additional dimension to Corneille's text.
Drypoint, a Technique Particularly Suited to Weisbuch
Drypoint holds a significant place in the history of original engraving.
WEISBUCH Claude - Original Engraving "Horace VIII" 33x49cm - 1995
Its direct nature allows the artist to work with great freedom, almost as if drawing on paper.
The displaced metal by the tip forms small barbs that retain the ink and give the line a particular depth during printing.
This quality is particularly interesting in the works of Claude Weisbuch, whose drawings often rely on quick lines, cross-hatching, and contrasts between dark areas and white spaces.
Claude Weisbuch's original engravings thus provide a natural extension of his work as a draftsman and painter.
Claude Weisbuch and artist's books
In addition to his paintings and independent prints, Claude Weisbuch has also developed a significant body of work in the field of illustrated books.
Discover Claude Weisbuch's illustrated books here.
The dialogue between text and image allows him to explore subjects close to his universe: theater, music, characters, and human emotions.
In Horace, drypoints are not just decoration. They accompany the reading and provide a personal interpretation of Corneille's tragedy.
Now offered separately, these engravings allow for a full appreciation of Claude Weisbuch's graphic work and to discover each of his compositions as a separate work of art.
They will appeal to both fans of Claude Weisbuch's original engravings and enthusiasts of prints, drawing, and classical literature.
The 15 original drypoints by Claude Weisbuch available at Galerie 125
WEISBUCH Claude WEISBUCH Claude - Original Engraving "Horace VII" 32x25cm - 1995
Galerie 125 offers for sale a new selection of 15 original engravings by Claude Weisbuch, made in drypoint for Horace by Pierre Corneille in 1995.
These prints perfectly illustrate the artist's universe: characters in motion, theatrical compositions, nervous lines, and freedom of drawing.
The 15 drypoints by Claude Weisbuch are available individually at Galerie 125.