Dieter Roth

Technique and condition

A screenprint from a portfolio of six double-sided screenprints printed on woodpulp board, laminated on both sides with white chromolux card. Published in an edition of 150, of which this portfolio is number seventy. The screenprints were printed in collaboration with the artist in Stuttgart and Korntal, Germany with printers, Hans Peter Haas, Stuttgart, and Staid & Mayer, Korntal, assembled by Rudolf Rieser and published by the Petersburg Press, London. The structural condition of the prints is characteristic of their construction on woodpulp laminate board; each print has inherent weaknesses and will deteriorate further.

The images on the recto were all initially printed with the Piccadilly image in four colour, off-set lithography. These were then over-printed in screenprint using a range of one to twenty-six colours from stencils drawn by the artist. The verso of each print has a vignette image of the original Piccadilly scene printed in four colour, offset lithography. All six prints are based on the same image of Piccadilly Circus.

The image is made from a twenty-six colour screenprint over a silver printed background. The print is in good condition with minimal surface dirt. Surface abrasion is visible along the edges, most noticeably in the bottom right corner. The printed card is crushed in the top right corner due to the weakness of the support and where the laminate is unsupported by the woodpulp board. The image on the verso is generally in good condition although surface abrasion is visible in several locations. There are small scratches in the surface, located in the lower right corner, the crushed top left corner and centre top. A blue/green ink mark is visible along the top edge and black scuff marks generally across the surface. The print is signed and dated with the edition number inscribed below the image, and signed again along the top border.

The portfolio comprises of a box made from brown corrugated board, wrapped in brown card with a colour lithograph image of Piccadilly printed on the lid. The base and wrapping are held together by clear pressure sensitive tape and staples along the base. The tape has subsequently failed and caused staining to the brown card. The box is inscribed on the verso, 'Dieter Roth 6 Piccadillies, Petersburg Press'. A wooden and wire handle is attached with string to the side.

Calvin Winner
March 1998

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