Prints by Victor Delhez

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William P. Carl Fine Prints is pleased to represent the estate of Victor Delhez

Victor Delhez was born in Antwerp, one of seven children from a wealthy Antwerp family. From 1916-18 he studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and from 1918-23 he was a student at the Faculty of Exact Sciences at the University of Louvain. He graduated as an agronomist with chemistry as his primary subject. He began exhibiting his caricatures and surrealist works on paper during this period. In addition, his first series of prints was published in Antwerp in 1925.

In 1925 Delhez's life changed. His parents were killed in a car crash so he gave up his job as manager of his father's motorcar company and decided to move to South America. In Buenos Aires, (1926-1933), he worked as a draughtsman, architect and contractor. While actively pursuing his engraving career he then decided to move to Bolivia. There, in conjunction with his friend Edgar Ernalsteen, he produced a first set of forty illustrations for the gospel and illustrated Lord Dunsady's "A Dreamer's Tale". During the late 1930s he continued refining his wood engraving technique and moved to Chacras de Coria, Argentina in 1940. His most famous work originated here and he became a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts, National University of Cuyo. He lived in Chacras de Coria for the rest of his life. His days as the itinerant artist were over.

Since 1926, Delhez's work has been shown in innumerable print exhibitions and his work can be found in many museum collections including Brussels, Antwerp (Plantin-Moretus), the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian. His editions are remarkably small, normally only eight impressions per block. He signed the prints with the reference "epreuve d'artiste" signifying these impressions are from the edition of eight. His range of subjects include Dostoevsky, Baudelaire, the Dance of Death theme, architecture, Lord Dunsady's "A Dreamer's Tale," self portraiture and of course, the Bible. The series "Apocalypse" ('Book of Revelation') is a masterpiece of 20th century graphic art. This, along with "Architecture and Nostalgia," show the artist at his best: a technician, an architect, a dreamer, a poet, a comic and a thinker. We are pleased to offer these exceptional prints for sale to our clients.

	Architecture and Nostalgia XVII Wood engraving, circa 1955, small edition. 15 x 11 1/2 in. Signed and titled in pencil. A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste". This series of architectural fantasies occupied Delhez throughout his life. $1,200
	Architecture and Nostalgia, #1 Wood engraving, 1949, small edition. 15 3/4 x 12 3/4 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Also inscribed "epreuve d'artiste". A fine impression of this major work. Full margins. Fine condition. A symbolic vision of Venice. SOLD
	Architecture and Nostalgia, #25 Wood engraving, 1973, small edition. 15 5/8 x 12 1/2 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed in pencil "epreuve d'artiste". A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. $1,000
	Architecture and Nostalgia, #6 Wood engraving, 1955, small edition. 15 3/4 x 12 3/4 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed in pencil "epreuve d'artiste." A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. $1,200
	Architecture and Nostalgia, #8 Wood engraving, 1955, small edition. 15 3/4 x 12 1/2 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed in pencil "epreuve d'artiste." A fine impression in very good condition. (Old tape stains at corner of sheet and at sides of sheet.) Full margins. $1,200
	Architecture and Nostalgia, #9 Wood engraving, 1955, small edition. 14 7/8 x 11 1/2 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed in pencil "epreuvre d'artiste". A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. $1,200
	Bard Wood engraving, 1939, small edition. 11 7/8 x 9 in. Signed in pencil and initialed in the block. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste." A fine impression in very good condition. Two small repairs at left margin edges. Depicted is the skull of a poet. The design of the skull is mimicked in the hill behind it. SOLD
	Book of Revelation, VI (12-16), Cosmic Darkness Wood engraving, 1957, small edition. 15 3/4 x 12 3/4 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Initialed in the block. Inscribed in pencil "epreuve d'artiste." A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. $1,200
	Book of Revelation, VIII (10-11), Absinth Angel Wood engraving, 1957, small edition. 15 3/4 x 12 7/8 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Initialed in the block. Inscribed in pencil "epreuve d'artiste". A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. $1,200
	Book of Revelation, XII (7-12), War in Heaven Wood engraving, 1957, small edition. 15 5/8 x 13 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Initialed in the block. Inscribed in pencil "epreuve d'artiste". A fine impression in fine condition with full margins. $1,200
	Book Of Revelation, XIX, (1-8), Meeting of the Kings in Heaven Wood engraving, undated (1950-60), small edition. 15 3/4 x 13 in. Signed in pencil and inscribed "epreuve d'etat." A fine impression in very good condition. Minor tape stains at top of margin. $1,200
	Book of Revelation, XVI (4-5), The Third Cup Wood engraving, 1960, small edition. 15 5/8 x 13 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Initialed in the block. Inscribed in pencil "5 de staat." A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. SOLD
	Book of Revelation, XX (4-6) The Millennium Wood engraving, undated (1950-60), small edition. 15 5/8 x 13 in. Signed and titled in pencil. A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste." $1,200
	Clouds Wood engraving, 1941, small edition. 15 3/4 x 12 7/8 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed in pencil "epreuve d'artiste". A fine impression of this large print. Fine condition. Full margins. # 5 from the series "Studies Without Support" (also called "Torbellinos"). $1,000
	Cosmos Woodcut, 1925, edition 225, as published in Antwerp by J.E. Buschmann. 9 x 12 in. Signed in pencil. A fine impression in excellent condition. Full margins. Delhez was born in Antwerp but moved to Argentina in 1927 where he lived the rest of his life. He was an influential modernist and organized many shows focusing on modernism and surrealism. He was appointed professor of printmaking in Buenos Aires in 1933. SOLD
	Cybernetiek Wood engraving, 1956, small edition. 11 3/4 x 9 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Initialed in the block. Inscribed "epreuvre d'artiste". A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. From the series "Danse Macabre". $850
	Dance of Death XXVI, Art & Science Wood engraving, 1946, small edition. 11 7/8 x 9 in. A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste." $1,200
	Dance of Death XXVIII, The Seventh Veil Wood engraving, 1949, small edition. 12 x 9 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste." A fine impression in fine condition. Breughel and film making converge in a bizarre vision of sex and relationships. Sigmund Freud is present in the crowded set. $850
	Dance of Death XXX, Self Portrait Wood engraving, 1948, small edition. 12 x 9 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste." A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. $850
	Danse of Death XV, Winter Wood engraving, 1942, small edition. 11 3/4 x 9 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste." A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. This image was inspired by the German campaign against the Soviet Union during WWII. $850
	Graphic Arts Wood engraving, 1946, small edition. 12 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste...3me etat." A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. This early self portrait shows the artist at work in his first studio in Chacras de Coria near Mendoza, Argentina. SOLD
	He Who Returned Wood engraving, 1941, small edition. 11 3/4 x 9 in. Signed in pencil and initialed in the block. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste". A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins (somewhat narrow on the sides). This print was inspired by Baudelaire but not included in Delhez's rendition of "Les Fleurs du Mal." $850
	La Ronde Wood engraving, 1942, small edition. 15 5/8 x 12 7/8 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed in pencil "epreuve d'artiste". A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. Fine condition. #2 from the series "Studies Without Support" (also called "Torbellinos") The scene depicted is a kind of ring dance with mythical overtones. $1,000
	Modernist Sheep Woodcut, 1925, edition 225 as published in Antwerp by J.E. Buschmann. 4 1/2 x 13 5/8 in. Signed in pencil. A fine impression in excellent condition. Full margins. SOLD
	Portrait of the Artist as Ulenspiegel Wood engraving, undated, Small edition. 12 x 9 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste." The character "Thyl Ulenspiegel" is well-known in Flemish folklore. He is a person who tells the truth in the form of a joke, holding a mirror to the people. The first appearance of Ulenspiegel has its origins in the Middle Ages. But the most famous one is the 19th century novel by Charles de Coster, written in French, a book that was considered revolutionary at the time. Ulenspiegel is, in this book, a young Protestant fighting the Spanish rulers and the Roman Catholic Church. This was a favorite book of the artist. Telling the "truth" in a hidden form pleased Delhez very much. $850
	Rejected Wood engraving, 1941, small edition. 11 7/8 x 8 7/8 in. Signed and titled in pencil and initialed in the block. Inscribed "epreuvre d'artiste". A fine impression in fine condition with substantial margins. Sarcastically depicted here are Asa Cheffetz, Peggy Bacon and Todros Geller. They were the judges for the 7th International Exhibition held at the Art Institute of Chicago, 1939. They are shown viewing Victor Delhez's triple portrait from 1939 which was rejected by the panel. In the background is the symbol of justice. SOLD
	Scherzo in Gold Wood engraving, 1948, small edition. 11 3/4 x 8 7/8 in. Signed in pencil and also initialed in the block. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste". A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. This brilliant parody on the concept of the "Golden Number" depicts a professor with the skull of a parrot and five students. The print is constructed around several pentagrams. $850
	Self Portrait Wood engraving, 1941, small edition. 11 3/4 x 9 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed in pencil "epreuve d'artiste". A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. This outstanding work was done in Chacras de Corio, Argentina, where he maintained his studio . SOLD
	Self Portrait Wood engraving, circa 1975, small edition. 11 3/4 x 9 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste" in pencil. A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. An engaging, later work. $850
	The Rich Fool Wood engraving, 1948, small edition. 15 3/4 x 12 3/4 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed in pencil "epreuve d'artiste." A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. From the Gospel according to Saint Luke XII (19-21). SOLD
	To Be Or Not To Be Wood engraving, 1948, small edition. 11 3/4 x 8 7/8 in. Signed in pencil and initialed in the block. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste". A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. $850
	Tree Study Woodcut, 1925, edition 225, as published in Antwerp by J.E. Buschmann. 9 5/8 x 8 1/8 in. Signed in pencil. A fine impression on off-white wove paper. Full margins. Fine condition. SOLD
	Untitled Wood engraving, 1939, small edition. 11 3/4 x 9 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Initialed in the plate. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste" in pencil. A fine impression in very good condition. Small stain in upper and lower margin, both well apart from the image. This triple portrait shows the artist working on a wood engraving and looking at a sculpture of himself made by Lorenzo Dominguez. SOLD
	Walkure Wood engraving, 1942, small edition. 15 3/4 x 12 3/4 in. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed "epreuve d'artiste". A fine impression in fine condition. Full margins. #7 from the series "Studies Without Support" (also called "Torbellinos"). The use of textile is here used to show the "leader" of the group. The "Walkure" is a mythical group from the old German religion and they were "war ladies". Wagner also used them in "Der Ring des Nibelungen". $1,000

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