Simone Haret (XX) - Le Chat

Simone HARET (1904 - 1978)
Le Chat, circa 1970

Original lithograph printed in a single pass of intense midnight blue monochrome.
• Support: Proof on textured art paper, high-quality mould-made, with deckle edges (natural burrs preserved).
• Signatures: Monogrammed “SH” on the lower right corner of the plate. Dimensions handwritten on the verso in pencil “50x38”.
• Sheet dimensions: 50 x 38 cm (half-raisin format).
• Matrix dimensions: 25 x 30.7 cm.
• Condition: In perfectly preserved condition. A proof with great freshness, a uniform monochrome flat area, paper perfectly sound without foxing or discoloration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK & AESTHETIC INTENTION
This masterful lithograph is a perfect illustration of the linear minimalism that flourished at the height of the 1970s. Simone Haret here delivers a work of absolute economy of means, where the silhouette of the cat blends into a universal roundness.
The motif of the sleeping cat in a ball is achieved through a pared-down technique of spatial reservation: the flowing lines draw a continuous arabesque that captures the very essence of rest and sleep. The piece oscillates subtly between tender animal figuration and modern geometric abstraction. The use of a single bold color highlights the striking contrast between the depth of a matte midnight blue and the immaculate whiteness of the support.

TECHNICAL NOTE AND PAPER QUALITY
The work stands out for the exceptional quality of its material execution:
• The print: Absolute sharpness of the white contours testifies to a rigorous mastery of the lithographic press. The color flat is dense, uniform, and particularly vibrant.
• The paper: The proof was printed on handmade art paper of remarkable thickness. A close-up of the sheet edge reveals generous grain and deckle-edged margins typical of aquatint-style craft (cuve process). This noble support brings a unique organic vibration to the work.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Simone HARET (1904 - 1978) was a French painter, watercolorist, and lithographer whose output spans the 20th century. Renowned for her pared-down compositions, delicate landscapes, and graphic explorations, she developed a timeless style marked by the poetry of line.
Her works—whether inks, watercolors, or paintings—are characterized by great chromatic sensitivity and radical simplification of forms. Very attentive to her support choices, she reserved her finest prints for exceptional handmade papers. Her creations regularly feature in international modern art auction catalogs.

CONDITION REPORT
The work is presented in exceptionally fresh condition, qualifying as “perfect state of conservation.”
• The paper has perfectly preserved its original elasticity and its natural off-white color, free from any thermal yellowing or exposure damage.
• This sheet shows no foxing, creasing, or edge tears. The lithographic flat remains intact and has suffered no surface rubbing or alteration.