Marcel Broodthaers. Atlas, 1975

Offset litho in black on white Ingres paper, 48.8 x 62.8 cm. Published by Lebeer Hossmann Éditeurs, Brussels and Hamburg in 1975, in an edition of 50 copies. The first 22 numbers of the edition were signed by Broodthaers on verso, Nos. 23-50 have a stamp of the M. Broodthaers Estate on rear. This copy is hand numbered 46/50 and contains the Estate stamp. In fine condition.

Atlas comprises the untrimmed printer's sheet with cutting lines for a miniature book by Broodthaers called 'The Conquest of Space. Atlas for the Use of Artists and the Military.' The tiny book measured only 38 by 25 millimeters, four copies of the book could be made from one sheet. It was produced by the publisher Lebeer Hossmann in 1975. Broodthaers and the publisher decided to keep 50 copies of the print uncut and issued them as a limited edition. The 'Atlas' depicted by Broodthaers (1924-1976) features silhouettes of a selection of 32 countries of the world shrunk to the same scale and arranged alphabetically. They seem to be islands, without any suggestion as to their geographical position in relation to one another.