Between
1937 and 1960 Tériade, aka Stratis Eleftheriades, published the 26 incomparable
issues of VERVE – Revue artistique et
littéraire. His intention was to present all the arts and provide evidence
of artists’ participation to the essential events of their time. Reproductions
were executed with the most appropriate technology so that the images could still
be considered originals.
Let me focus for now on the first five issues and pick a few of my favourites. From the first one I certainly choose the article on hair, silent trace of a hidden nature. It is signed G. B. that I assume stands for Georges Batailles. Women with their hair down: there is hardly anything more erotic.
From the
second one I choose the magnificent interpretations of the Apocalypse
reproduced from Middle Ages manuscripts preserved at the Bibliothèque Nationale
de France. Red, blue, yellow, green. Fire, sky, water, earth, beasts. They all
compose a great enigma.
The thirds
issue is devoted to the Orient and I will expand on this one in my next post.
From the
forth one I would like to point out a recurring feature of Verve. In the double page photography
often faces painting: they reinforce each other letting analogies and affinities appear more clearly.
The fifth
issue is devoted to the human figure
