MAURICE ESTEVE Composition, 1964

This original lithograph by Maurice Estève, titled Composition, was published in Paris in 1964 as part of the landmark volume Prints from the Mourlot Press, one of the most important publications devoted to the art of modern lithography and the legendary Atelier Mourlot. Issued in a first edition of 2,000 copies, the book celebrated the extraordinary collaborations between Mourlot and many of the leading artists of the 20th century.

The composition exemplifies Estève’s mature abstract language—lyrical, organic, and deeply rooted in color relationships. Broad biomorphic forms in warm earth tones float across a vibrant blue ground, punctuated by bold black linear accents and touches of yellow and red. The image balances spontaneity and structure, revealing the artist’s distinctive ability to create harmony through simplified shapes and saturated color fields.

Unlike the geometric severity of certain forms of abstraction, Estève’s work remains sensual and painterly. The softly textured surfaces and flowing contours evoke a sense of rhythm and movement, while the interplay between color and form creates a composition that feels simultaneously monumental and intimate. His work occupies a unique position within postwar French abstraction, bridging elements of Cubism, lyrical abstraction, and the School of Paris tradition.

Printed at the renowned Atelier Mourlot, the lithograph reflects the exceptional craftsmanship associated with the pre-digital era of stone lithography, when artists collaborated directly with master printers to achieve remarkable depth, texture, and color richness. The publication itself has become highly collectible, containing original lithographs and plates by artists including Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder, and many others associated with the golden age of modern printmaking.

A vibrant and highly decorative modernist lithograph, appealing to collectors of School of Paris abstraction, Atelier Mourlot publications, and mid-century European printmaking.

Framing available upon request.