Description
“Voie au Crépuscule”: An Ode to Twilight by Bernard Gantner, 197
“Voie au Crépuscule” or “Way to Twilight” is an exquisitely crafted stone-pulled lithograph on premium Rives wove paper, a masterpiece by the renowned French artist, Bernard Gantner, from 1970. Each edition of this piece is meticulously hand-signed in pencil by Gantner himself on the lower right, with its unique limited-edition number positioned on the lower left.
Provenance:
Certificate of Authenticity: A Testament to Originality
Included with the artwork are two distinguished labels from the Collector’s Guild. The primary label presents a concise biography of the eminent Bernard Gantner. Complementing this, the secondary label is a Certificate of Authenticity, vouched for by the esteemed publisher, “The Collector’s Guild” [The Collector’s Guild, Ltd., 185 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016].
Collector’s Guild Assurance
The revered Societe de Vérification de la Nouvelle Gravure Internationale, with branches in New York and Paris, attests that this artwork is an original lithograph. It is limited to an edition of 275, with each piece individually crafted and signed by the artist. Furthermore, the Society guarantees that after the completion of the limited edition, the lithograph stone was retired, ensuring its exclusivity.
A Glimpse into Bernard Gantner’s Journey
Born in Belfort, a quaint town in the Alsace region of France, in 1928, Bernard Gantner’s prodigious artistic talent unveiled itself when he was merely nine. His gift for sketching caught many an eye. His grandfather, an educator, played a pivotal role in honing Gantner’s skill, teaching him to fathom the beauty of nature.
The course of World War II brought Gantner under the tutelage of the curator from Belfort’s museum. This mentorship ushered him into the realm of oil painting. With the museum closed due to wartime imperatives, the young artist had unparalleled access to the institution’s treasures. Here, he immersed himself, in studying medieval masterpieces and iconic works by luminaries like Delacroix, Courbet, and Seurat.
On completing his education in Belfort, the allure of Paris beckoned. There, Gantner enriched his knowledge at the School of Fine Arts and indulged in the artistic abundance the city proffered, from its majestic museums and galleries to its iconic architecture.
Following a transformative year in Paris, Gantner resumed his artistic pursuits in his hometown. His prowess did not go unnoticed, capturing the attention of the illustrious art critic, Claude Roger Mars. In 1961, Gantner’s accolades began with the Critic’s Prize. From there, his renown only amplified. Celebrated for his intricate lithographs, over 60 exhibitions have been dedicated to his work across France, Great Britain, the USA, and Canada. This includes illustrious showcases in the Dyansen Galleries. The art world mourned his passing in 2018, but his legacy endures.
