PRINCE, Richard. Bettie Kline. [New York]: (Gagosian Gallery), [2009].



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PRINCE, Richard.
Bettie Kline.
[New York]: (Gagosian Gallery), [2009].

Folio (356 × 277 mm), pp.[108]. Colour and black-and-white photographs and reproductions of paintings. Tan endpapers. Black-and-white photo-illustrated paper-covered boards; small dent to fore-edge of front and bottom edge of rear board, foot of spine and one corner lightly bumped. An excellent copy.

First edition. The premise for this artists’ book is that in the 1950s, glamour photographer Irving Klaw and abstract expressionist painter Franz Kline bot had studios at 212 East 14th Street, New York. In a ‘found’ typed letter it is revealed that Kline would sometimes use Klaw’s models for figure studies, and was particularly smitten with Betty Page. By reproducing Kline’s abstract pen and ink drawings opposite photographs of Page that seem to display the same formal characteristics, Prince is suggesting that it was erotica and not Chinese calligraphy that was the Abstract Expressionists primary influence.

Parr, M. and Badger, G., The Photobook: A History vol. III p.292.

 


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