L'Explosion Qui Eclaire Mon Abime, 1978
Roberto Matta   Master Artists

Print : aquatint, etching · 66 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm 26 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch · Ready to hang

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About the artwork

Type

Print : numbered and limited to 100 copies

Condition

Artwork sold in perfect condition, framed, ready to hang

Authenticity

Sold with certificate of Authenticity from the gallery

Invoice from the gallery

Signature

Hand-signed by artist

Technique & Support

Dimensions ( cm • inch )

66 x 49.8 x 0.3 cm 26 x 19.6 x 0.1 inch Height x Width x Depth

Artwork dimensions including frame

89.5 x 73 x 2.5 cm 35.25 x 28.75 x 1 inch

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Credentials

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Description

Aquatint and etching on paper. Hand signed lower right by Roberto Matta. Hand numbered 90/100 lower left. Image size: 14.1 x 18.6 inches. Sheet size: 26 x 19.6 inches. Frame size: 35.25 x 28.75 inches. From the series "Une Saison En Enfer" (A Season In Hell) which illustrates the poem by Arthur Rimbaud. Hand signed and numbered in pencil by Roberto Matta. Co-published by Ediciones Poligrafa, Barcelona, and Georges Visat, Paris. Ferrari 214-224.

Additional images are available upon request. All reasonable offers will be considered.

About the Artist: Roberto Matta (Chilean, 1911–2002) was known for his unique blending of Surrealism with Abstract Expressionism. Like his friend Arshile Gorky, Matta's otherworldly paintings and prints explored the unconscious through methods of Surrealist automatism. With fluid brushstrokes of rich color the artist described nebulous spaces inhabited by floating organic and architectonic forms, as seen in the hallmark work Les Roses sont belles (1951). “I am interested only in the unknown and I work for my own astonishment," he once declared. Born Roberto Sebastián Antonio Matta Echaurran on November 11, 1911 in Santiago, Chile, he graduated with a degree in architecture from the Catholic University of Santiago in 1932 before moving to Paris to work in the studio of Le Corbusier. While in Europe, he travelled to Madrid where he was introduced to the famed Surrealist Salvador Dalí. It was Dalí who encouraged Matta to show his architectural drawings to André Breton and pursue a career in art. Now an accepted member of the Surrealist group, Matta settled in New York in 1938, began oil painting, and befriended American artists while maintaining ties with European friends like Yves Tanguy. In 1948, after the suicide of his friend Gorky, many of his American peers blamed Matta for the death, as he had slept his Gorky's wife shortly before the tragic event. Ostracized, the artist returned to Europe, spending much of the rest of his life between Paris and Rome. He died on November 23, 2002 in Civitavecchia, Italy at the age of 91. Matta's works are presently held in the collections of the Tate Gallery in London, The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.

Roberto Matta, L'Explosion Qui Eclaire Mon Abime

Roberto Matta

Chile  • 1911  - 2002
123 followers

Presentation

Roberto Matta (1911–2002) remains a key figure in 20th-century art, celebrated for his visionary contributions to Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism. His work continues to captivate collectors and art lovers worldwide, with significant recent exhibitions and strong auction results reinforcing his place in the contemporary art market. In 2025, the centennial of Matta's birth is commemorated with major retrospectives, including Roberto Matta 1911–2002 at Ca' Pesaro in Venice, Italy, a highly anticipated exhibition running from October 2024 to March 2025. This retrospective highlights Matta's unique exploration of cosmic and subconscious themes, showcasing over 20 works that illustrate his intellectual and artistic journey, from his early surrealist experiments to his later abstract works.

Matta's History is Round Like the Earth exhibition at the Mitterrand Gallery in Paris (October–December 2024) also drew attention, with approximately 30 works from across his career on display. These exhibitions emphasize the political, cultural, and social issues Matta engaged with throughout his life, reflected in his dynamic cosmic landscapes and charged imagery. His works, particularly those from the 1940s and 1950s, are sought after for their powerful visual language that combines human and cosmic forces.

In the art market, Matta's pieces continue to perform strongly. His 1959 etching Paroles Peintes sold at Christie's in November 2024, further cementing his position as a prized artist for collectors. His works remain highly sought after, with his paintings and works on paper regularly featured in major art auctions and galleries worldwide. Collectors and investors continue to view Matta's works as valuable assets, with pieces held in prestigious collections such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and Tate Modern in London.

Known for his exploration of the intersection between human consciousness and cosmic energy, Matta's works remain an important reference point for those interested in the fusion of surrealism, abstract expressionism, and political art. His ability to create visionary landscapes that speak to both personal and universal themes makes his art highly collectible. As his centennial year unfolds, Roberto Matta's legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and collectors, ensuring his place as one of the most significant artists of the 20th century.

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