Yvon Taillandier
Triple capitipède
2015
Screen printing on transparent film
50 × 71 cm
Unique
Location: Paris, France
Arianee token ID
552748501
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About the artwork
This composition features three stylized anthropomorphic figures, rendered through screen printing on a transparent film. The figures, characteristic of Taillandier's "Capitipède" series, are depicted in profile with exaggerated heads and simplified bodies that merge directly into feet, lacking distinct torsos or limbs. Two figures face each other, one on the left and one on the right, while a third figure is positioned centrally and inverted, appearing to interact with the other two. Each figure is filled with a repetitive, wave-like pattern, reminiscent of traditional Japanese 'seigaiha' motifs. The left figure is rendered in yellow outlines with blue patterns, the right figure in yellow outlines with light blue patterns, and the central, inverted figure in dark brown outlines with black patterns. The transparent film allows for a subtle interplay of light and shadow, creating a slight three-dimensional effect as the figures are mounted, casting shadows on the white background. The artist's signature is visible in graphite below the central figure.
Expert opinion
This work positions itself within the trajectory of post-war figurative art in France, reflecting Taillandier's unique contribution to the genre. His "Capitipède" figures, developed from the mid-20th century, represent a consistent artistic vocabulary that bridges elements of primitive art, folk art, and a playful abstraction. The use of screen printing on transparent film, a technique often associated with Pop Art and graphic design, demonstrates an engagement with contemporary printmaking methods while applying them to his established iconography. In the market, Taillandier's works are collected for their distinct visual language and his dual role as an artist and influential art critic. His unique prints and paintings are regularly offered at auction, appealing to collectors who appreciate a blend of intellectual rigor and whimsical imagery. The market value for such unique pieces is stable, supported by his established career and the recognizable nature of his artistic motifs.
About the artist
Yvon Taillandier (1926-2018) was a French painter, writer, and art critic. He was born in Paris and initially pursued studies in philosophy before turning to art. Taillandier became known for his distinctive figurative style, often featuring anthropomorphic figures he termed "Capitipèdes" (head-feet), which he began developing in the 1950s. Throughout his career, Taillandier maintained a multidisciplinary approach, publishing numerous books on art and artists, including monographs on Henri Matisse and Paul Klee, and contributing to various art journals. His artistic production spanned painting, sculpture, drawing, and printmaking, consistently exploring themes of human form, movement, and interaction through simplified, often playful, representations. He exhibited his work regularly in France and internationally, establishing a unique position within the broader context of post-war European art.
“These full-headed characters, who have no neck, no trunk, no arms, but who enjoy one or more pairs of legs [...], their cephalic mass, instead of being opaque, is, for the most part, transparent and lets us see their thoughts.”
Additional info
Signed
Framed
Proof of authenticity
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