John Baldessari, original sketch for ‘Ingres and other Parables’, 1971

Pen drawing on two sheets of thin off-white paper, each 16.5 x 15 cm, taped together with 2 pieces of cloth tape to 16.5 x 31 cm. Contains a sketch for the title sheet of Baldessari’s artists’ book ‘Ingres and Other Parables’ on recto. Verso shows a sketch for the first page of the book on the left sheet, with the header ‘Ingres’ and a text block beneath it. The right side features a drawing of a nail. In the published book the nail is very similar, but presented in photographic format. It’s intriguing to observe that the hanging calendar format of the publication is not yet apparent in this sketch.

‘Ingres and other Parables’ is composed of humorous notes on the art world and its menace. The title story ‘Ingres’ portrays a painting’s physical decay as it passes from one owner to another. Though eventually only a single nail is left of the painting, it only increases in financial worth, due to ‘a clear lineage, a good genealogy’. Baldessari’s sketch is in fine condition, with light fading of the ink. Amazing unique document with reputable provenance from the Egidio Marzona Collection, Bielefeld.