Jacques Villon and the Duchamp Legacy: A Family of Artistic Visionaries
Three Duchamp brothers, left to right: Marcel Duchamp, Jacques Villon, and Raymond Duchamp-Villon in the garden of Jacques Villon’s studio in Pateaux, France, 1914, (Smithsonian Institution collections.)
Exploring Jacques Villon: 60 Years of Prints from the Artist’s Estate and the Matisse Family.
Over sixty years of artistic production, Jacques Villon made 600 prints, surpassing master printmakers Picasso, Matisse, and Rouault. Working with all printmaking techniques and exploring many of the stylistic movements of the early 20th century, Villon’s reputation as an artist is as firmly tied to his printmaking skill as it is to his body of work as a painter.
Our March Thursday Morning at STAIR sale offers another opportunity to explore the world of Villon’s printmaking oeuvre through a large selection of lithographs, etchings and drypoints that come directly from the artist’s estate by descent through the Duchamp and Matisse family. Named Gaston Duchamp at birth, Villon changed his name, as did his younger brother, the sculptor Raymond Duchamp who became Raymond Duchamp-Villon. Their younger brother, artist Marcel Duchamp, retained his family name. All three brothers were born with an abundance of talent, as did their sister, artist Suzanne Duchamp, and showed together for the first time in America at the Armory Show in 1913. The siblings became part of the Matisse family when Marcel Duchamp married Alexina (Teeny) who was previously married to Pierre Matisse, son of Henri Matisse.
The printmaking of Jacques Villon stands on its own as a significant exploration of the medium and showcases the breadth of his artistic talent. Many of the prints offered in this sale are artist’s proofs, some unique, and working proofs annotated by Villon as he worked through his process. All works come from the artist’s studio and have a singular provenance that cannot be overlooked.
Preview Thursday Morning at STAIR on March 13 at 10am and register to bid.
CATALOGUE ONLINE: Friday, February 28, 2025
GALLERY PREVIEW
Friday, February 28: 9am – 5pm
Saturday, March 1: Closed
Sunday, March 2: Closed
Monday, March 3: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday, March 4: 9am – 5pm
Wednesday, March 5: 9am – 5pm
Thursday, March 6: 9am – 5pm
Friday, March 7: 9am – 5pm
Saturday, March 8: 11am – 5pm
Sunday, March 9: Closed
Monday, March 10: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday, March 11: 9am – 5pm
Wednesday, March 12: 9am – 5pm