Signed "R. Motherwell," or "Motherwell" in pencil lower right

Numbered in pencil lower right

200 in three numbered segments

25 AP, numbered I-XXV
1 CP
5 exemplaires de collaborateurs, numbered I-V
14 HC, numbered 1-14, unsigned
TP (unrecorded)
other proofs (unrecorded)

Editions O. Lazar-Vernet, Paris

Jean Cappelle, Ateliers Arte, Paris

Plate preparation and proofing by Emiliano Sorini at Hollander Workshop, New York; typography by Theo Schmied; page composition by Paul Schmitt

1 color printed in 1 run from 1 copper plate (steel-faced): sepia – plate

B 31

The collection Paroles peintes (Painted words) was a series published by Editions O. Lazar-Vernet, Paris, under the direction of Odette Lazar-Vernet. Madame Lazar-Vernet dedicated the collection to the presentation of unpublished poetry and original etchings by a diverse international roster of artists. Each volume in the series combines poetry, gravure, and typography in an album format.

Motherwell's Untitled etching was included in Paroles peintes III, published in 1967. The plate was prepared and proofed by Emiliano Sorini at Hollander Workshop in New York, and sent to Paris for printing at Ateliers Arte by the artist and Jean Cappelle on November 7, 1967. The overall tone of the etching was achieved through a combination of sepia and black inks. Paroles peintes III consists of seven original etchings and seven unpublished poems. The poets included were Daisy Aldan, N. Cartier-Bresson, Michel Deguy, Gilbert-Lecomte, André Pieyre de Mandiargues, Denis Roche, and Takemoto. The artists in addition to Motherwell were Alexander Calder, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Joan Miró, J. Perez-Roman, Sima, and Yoshihara. The Paroles peintes collections I-V from 1962 to 1975 were exhibited at Berggruen Gallery, Paris, March-April 1976.

The etching was printed on four papers: Japan nacré paper, Johannot paper, Richard de Bas paper, and Rives BFK paper. The edition component was divided into three segments as follows: 15 impressions printed on Japan nacré paper, numbered 1-15, signed; 35 impressions printed on Richard de Bas paper, numbered 16-50, unsigned; 150 impressions on Johannot paper, numbered 51-200, unsigned. The artist's proof impressions were printed on Rives BFK paper with enlarged margins measuring 22 x 15 in. (55.9 x 38.1 cm). The cancellation proof was printed in sanguine. Trial proofs were printed on Rives BFK paper with the image upside down in black. Impressions inscribed "proof" and signed "Motherwell" were printed on Rives BFK paper measuring 22 1/4 x 14 5/8 in. (56.5 x 37.1 cm).