Woodcut printed in black on cream wove China paper, 1893-94. 202x352 mm; 8x14 inches, full margins. Fourth state (of 4). A proof in this state, printed before the Pola Gauguin edition of 100 published in 1921 (impressions of which were printed in black). A superb, richly-inked, dark and evenly-printed impression of this very scarce proof.
This impression, unrecorded by Kornfeld, is likely unique. Kornfeld notes two impressions of other Noa Noa subjects printed before 1904 by Tony or Jacques Beltrand for Eugène Druet in black ink (Kornfeld 20 and 22). According to Kornfeld, Eugène Druet acquired 8 of the Noa Noa wood blocks sometime around 1914-18 and had Beltrand print impressions. In 1921, Druet sold the wood blocks to the artist's son, Pola Gauguin, and he prodcued the edition of 100 impressions of each (see lot 193). The Pola Gauguin printings, as well as many of the Beltrand impressions, are evidenced by the splits in the blocks (which are particularly noticeable in the 1921 impressions). The current impression has no signs of splitting in the block and is likely an early impression from the 1890s or early 1900s.
An impression of Mahna no Varua Ino, printed in ochre on China paper, sold at Swann, November 5, 2013, lot 44. Kornfeld 19.
