Lydia Harambourg - Oscar Gauthier [with original drawing] - 1987

Oscar Gauthier - Reference Monograph with Original Ink Self-Portrait (Signed Drawing) and Handwritten Dedication - Lydia Harambourg (1987)
Description
An exceptional collector’s lot bringing together an art monograph and an unpublished original graphic work by the master of French Lyrical Abstraction, Oscar Gauthier.
The first endpaper features a superb original black-ink drawing executed by the artist in November 1987. The work depicts a highly expressive caricature self-portrait of Gauthier smoking a pipe, creating a warm visual dialogue with the adjacent photograph of him in his youth in Saint-Tropez (summer 1949). The drawing is accompanied by a warm, lengthy handwritten dedication, signed: “For Jean and Marie, connoisseurs, collectors and givers of paintings for as long as I can remember. Their old pal OSCAR. Not as fresh! Me, still 38 years later!!!”
Book: Oscar Gauthier: L'état des lieux, by art historian Lydia Harambourg. Published in 1987 by Galerie Arnoux / Éditions de la Différence.
Format and contents: 112 pages, 21 x 24 cm. First French-language edition, richly illustrated with color reproductions of his abstract paintings.
Condition: Good overall condition. The interior is very fresh, and the leaf bearing the original drawing is perfectly preserved, with no signs of alteration. As is often the case with this edition, the black dust jacket shows signs of wear (rubbing at the corners, small tears, and slight losses at the edges). Natural age-related foxing is confined to the page edges, with no effect whatsoever on the graphic work.
A unique collector’s item, at the intersection of the art book and the original artwork, with intimate and authentic provenance, ideal for admirers of the School of Paris.
Description

(Spanish)
An exceptional collector’s lot combining an important art monograph with an unpublished original graphic work by the master of French Lyrical Abstraction, Oscar Gauthier.
The front endpaper contains a magnificent original black-ink drawing made by the artist himself in November 1987. The work is an expressive, witty caricature self-portrait of Gauthier smoking a pipe, engaging in a delightful visual dialogue with the adjacent photograph of him in his youth in Saint-Tropez (summer 1949). It also includes an extensive handwritten dedication, signed: “For Jean and Marie, connoisseurs, collectors and givers of paintings for as long as I can remember. Their old pal OSCAR. Not as fresh! Me, still 38 years later!!!”
Book: Oscar Gauthier: L'état des lieux, written by the renowned art historian Lydia Harambourg. Published in 1987 by Galerie Arnoux / Éditions de la Différence.
Format and contents: 112 pages, 21 x 24 cm. First French-language edition, profusely illustrated with full-color reproductions of his abstract canvases.
Condition: Good overall condition. The interior is immaculate, and the paper bearing the original drawing remains perfectly clean, fresh, and free of marks. The black dust jacket shows the usual wear for this type of edition, with rubbing at the corners and small areas of superficial loss at the edges. Light, age-related foxing is confined to the page edges and does not affect the graphic work in any way.
A unique, highly valuable lot with impeccable intimate provenance, ideal for collectors of modern art from the School of Paris.
Description

(English)
An exceptional collector’s lot combining an important art monograph with an unpublished original graphic work by the master of French Lyrical Abstraction, Oscar Gauthier.
The opening page features a superb, large-format original black-ink drawing executed by the artist in November 1987. The artwork is a clever caricature self-portrait of Gauthier smoking a pipe, engaging in a witty visual dialogue with the adjacent photograph of him in his youth in Saint-Tropez (summer 1949). It includes an extensive handwritten, signed dedication: “For Jean and Marie, connoisseurs, collectors and givers of paintings for as long as I can remember. Their old pal OSCAR. Not as fresh! Me, still 38 years later!!!”
Book: Oscar Gauthier: L'état des lieux, written by the renowned art historian Lydia Harambourg. Published in 1987 by Galerie Arnoux / Éditions de la Différence.
Format & Contents: 112 pages, 21 x 24 cm. First French-language edition, richly illustrated with vibrant full-color plates documenting his abstract oil paintings.
Condition Report: Good overall condition. The text block remains in fine condition, and the sheet bearing the original artwork is clean, crisp, and completely unaffected. As expected with this dark paper dust jacket, it shows wear along the edges, with some rubbing and minor tears and losses. Minor natural foxing is strictly limited to the outer page edges and does not affect the artwork or text.
A unique lot that transcends the status of a scarce art book to become a genuine piece of original art, with wonderful provenance.

The following official indicators are recorded for Oscar Gauthier’s works on paper:
Average value of drawings and watercolors: The general average market price for his works on paper is €1,125 [France Estimations].
Auction price range: Sale prices for original graphic works (ink drawings, sketches, and gouaches) typically range from €150 to €3,000.