The Cloud Eye

Milan: Sergio Tosi Stampatore, 1969. First trade edition of this early livre d’artiste by Italian artist Fausta Squatriti, offered at the Museum of Modern Art in conjunction with her 1969 exhibition at New York’s Kozmopolitan Gallery. Squatriti’s abstract candy-colored lithographs are teamed with an account of her work by critic Gillo Dorfles, printed in both English and Italian, titled “Fausta Squatriti’s ‘Disquieting Objects.’” Dorfles argues that Squatriti’s vibrantly colored, futuristic sculptures represent the “equivocal nature half-way between the biological and the mechanical,” “the furnishings terrestrial astronauts have discovered in the dwellings (truncated) of a remote galaxy.” He concludes that Squatriti’s pop art represents “the revenge of her femininity . . . the distortion and mockery of the rigour of constructivism.” Both the signed limited edition of fifty copies and this trade edition, printed in an unknown limitation, are scarce on the market. A very good example of an uncommon livre d’artiste. Oblong volume, measuring 4 x 7.75 inches: [20]. Original navy cardboard covers bound with two aluminum rings. Leaves printed rectos only. Fifteen color lithographs, four pages of text. Scattered foxing, light fading and a few faint spots to covers. (Inventory #: 1003667)