GRADIVA. 1937.

Paris: Galerie Gradiva, n.d. (1937)
27 x 21cm, 4pp back on grey offset gallery publicity leaflet in the form of
a surrealist tract. The Gradiva Gallery was opened by Louis Bomsel and run
on his behalf by Breton. Named after a heroine from a short story by Jensen
(a book which Sigmund Freud had read and mentioned in his writings), the
gallery took on an increasingly feminine character as the name GRADIVA came
to stand for a series of girl’s names – namely the surrealist heroines
Gisele, Rosine, Alice, Dora, Ines, Violette and Alice. The lengthy texthere
is probably by Breton and not only quotes Freud but additionally Hugo,
Rimbaud, Lautremont and Apollinaire as well as explaining the Gallery’s
credo. A list of artists who will be exhibited are also noted – all
surrealists. This is a very fine copy of a very scarce surrealist document
and is blind stamped with the Gallery’s motif. If a tract can be an object
of beauty then this passes muster.