Lithograph, 1972
Edition: 187/300
Publisher: Galerie Putman
Printer: Clot, Bramsen & Georges (Paris)
Catalogue Raisonné:
Chenivesse n°9
48.30 × 64.80 cm | 19.02 × 25.51 in. (image size)
Signed in pencil
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity
Condition: Excellent
Arches paper
Restoration present on the upper margin
Artwork Description
This work, "A Girl's Dream," takes us into the pictorial world of the important French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle, who was active as a member of Nouveau Réalisme in the 1960s.
This lithograph, typically illustrating her style in the 1970s, makes impressive use of precise line drawings and vibrant colors. The expression, with its childlike innocence, served as a diary for the artist, frankly revealing her emotions and worldview.
The canvas lacks a narrative composition; instead, figures and various motifs are juxtaposed. These are symbolic images that form Niki de Saint Phalle's artistic world.
The first thing that catches the eye is a two-headed snake. This animal had long been a symbol of fear for the artist, but by depicting it, she made it her own, stating that she wanted to "transform fear into joy." Here, it appears as a symbol of the power to overcome difficulties, i.e., resilience. This snake and tree motif also evokes the Tree of Life and is connected to her monumental sculpture installed in the courtyard of the Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Angers in France.
Furthermore, several elements on the canvas evoke the Tarot de Marseille. The artist had a strong interest in this divination, and her inspiration also culminated in the magnificent sculpture park Tarot Garden, which she built in Garavicchio, Tuscany, Italy.
The moon depicted in the work symbolizes imagination, the sun symbolizes intellect and its power, and the wheel evokes the "Wheel of Fortune," representing destiny.
In Tarot, people project their questions and anxieties onto the cards. Similarly, this work responds to the emotions and imagination of each viewer.
It is a work that invites joyful introspection.
