Jacques Villon (1875-1963) - Marchands Quatre Saisons

lithograph by Jacques Villon (1875–1963), titled Marchands Quatre Saisons, originates from the renowned 1962 portfolio Regards sur Paris, published by André Sauret and printed by Mourlot Frères. printed on fine Japanese pearl paper and hand-signed in pencil.

Villon, a pioneer of Cubism and a key figure in modern French art, combines lyrical abstraction with sharp draftsmanship in this composition. The scene depicts two figures with a cart brimming with goods, rendered in an expressive fusion of pastel colors and dynamic lines. The vivid yet delicate palette and linear overlays reflect the influence of his contemporaries, such as Marcel Duchamp (his brother), Fernand Léger, Jean Metzinger, Albert Gleizes, and Georges Braque, while also resonating with the sensibilities of artists like Raoul Dufy, André Derain, and Sonia Delaunay.

This lithograph belongs to a limited edition, marked in Roman numerals as VII/X, suggesting it may be one of only 10 artist’s proofs aside from the main edition. It retains the centre fold, as originally issued in the folio. The Japanese paper lends the work a refined, almost translucent texture, enhancing its visual subtlety.