1948 After Fernand Léger, "The Great Divers" First Edition Period Offset Lithograph

An excellent First Edition period offset lithograph, print, of painting Les Grands Plongeurs (The Great Divers, 1942-43) by Fernand Léger. Comes from a rare First Limited Edition folio of the artist, created while he was still living, published by Editions Du Chene in Paris, France in 1948. Folio number 266. Printed on one side. Hand tipped-in on a board of heavy paper. Information regarding the original artwork, in French, will be found by lifting the plate. Numbered "X" in lower right corner. Excellent condition - minor edge wear on the board, never framed. Overall 15"W x 11"H Image 10.25"W x 8.65"H Joseph Fernand Henri Léger (died in 1955) was a French painter, sculptor, and filmmaker. In his early works he created a personal form of cubism which he gradually modified into a more figurative, populist style. His boldly simplified treatment of modern subject matter has caused him to be regarded as a forerunner of pop art. On the subject of the editor: Editions du Chêne, Paris 1941, it is an occupied Paris which witnesses the emergence, 16, place Vendôme, of the Editions du Chêne. A risky bet given that its 21-year old founder was called Maurice Kahane, an atheist Jewish man who would then adopt the name of his mother, Girodias. The Chêne specialised itself by the edition of art books and literature. The Editions du Chêne would become a branch of the Hachette group in 1951. The edition of art books would then adopt pride of place. George Herscher takes over the Hachette house with enthusiasm in 1971.