Visage noir au carré bleu, 1967

James Coignard  

James Coignard (1925-2008) was a well-known French artist/printmaker, renowned for his colorful, geometric abstractions and exceptional carborundum etchings. The artist's keen interest in mathematics is evident in all of his paintings and etchings . These elegant, rich, and tactile prints are made on a heavy cotton fiber paper with a rough, organic, and visible texture that must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. Coignard studied at the École des Arts Décoratifs in Nice and later apprenticed with the painter Marchand des Raux. After developing a relationship with the Galerie Hervieu in Nice in the 1950s, Coignard began to gain notoriety. In the early 1960s, he began working with glass. In 1986, his friend Henri Goetz discovered a new etching technique using carborundum, marking an evolution in his technique. Distinguished as a talented painter, sculptor , and printmaker, James eventually began exhibiting internationally. His works are now included in numerous corporate and private collections, as well as over 20 museums, including the Guggenheim in New York and the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris.