Cahier XIV - Signed and Inscribed to Diego Rivera

Anvers [Antwerp]: Editions selection. 1933. 100 pp. Text in French. 8vo (25.5 x 18.3 cm). Profusely illustrated in black-and-white with Kandinsky's drawings and 15 photographic plates of paintings. Dedicated in pencil on title page: "A Monsieur Diego di Rivera, tres cordialement, Kandinsky, Berlin 5 VIII 1933 [May 8, 1933]." Bound in full leather with gilt detailing and four raised bands. Spine heavily rubbed, rear joint partly broken, upper joint fully separated and attached by the marbled endpaper only. Scattered foxing, otherwise fine. A remarkable association copy.

The monographic catalogues of the Cahiers Selection also featured Dufy, Leger, Chagall, de Chirico, and Gromaire. Diego "di" Rivera, as he is referred to in the publication, was one of the contributors. Responding to the works of the great painter, Rivera wrote: "A painting by Kandinsky is not an image of life but life itself... I know nothing more real than the painting of Kandinsky, nothing more authentic, nothing more beautiful."

From the collection of Viktor Kholodkov (1948-2015), who fulfilled his passion for books, avant-garde design and paper memorabilia by devoting his life to collecting and dealing of prominent works of Russian graphic art of the first half of the 20th century. The dedicated collector acquired a multitude of books and artworks throughout decades, meticulously labeling and archiving every single item. Many came directly from the most preeminent artists of the time, as well as from their families and estates. He also possessed a vast number of drawings from the famous collection of another avant-garde enthusiast, Nikolai Khardzhiev. After leaving the USSR in 1989 and settling in California, Viktor continued his work as a Soviet art dealer and critic, actively publishing various articles and contributing to several major Russian avant-garde exhibitions across the U.S., such as the 1991 Russia Under Fire in the 40s on the West Coast and the 1992 Guggenheim exhibition The Great Utopia: The Russian and Soviet Avant-Garde. Kholodkov also contributed to the archives of the biggest American institutions. His sophisticated selection of over 2000 Russian sheet music covers was acquired by The Library of Congress, and an extensive amount of material related to VKhUTEMAS is now at the J. Paul Getty Museum.  (16653)

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Book

Signed Document/Item

Art

Art & Design

• Sold