Original Typescript
Open Letter to the Soviet Painters, Sculptors and Engravers
Notes: Nine-page ribbon-copy typescript of an English translation of Siquieros' critical look at Soviet art in the 1950s.
Based upon a limited comparison of this version with the text published in the January 1956 issue of Arte Público (México, D.F.), this is a fairly literal English rendering of Siqueiros's remarks. It is a different translation from that published in the April 1956 issue of Masses and Mainstream. This typescript was found in a book from critic Selden Rodman's library, with an unrelated postcard addressed to him, suggesting he might have been the translator. It might also be a transcript of Siqueiros's lecture circulated by the Communist Party.
The source text used for this translation is not known. It seems unlikely to be Arte Publico as Siqueiros was very particular about emphasis, rendered here with underlining. In Arte Publico, the emphasized text was rendered in a slightly thinner typeface and the effect is quite subtle and hard to interpret without knowing the author's intentions.
As booksellers like to say when they aren't quite sure what they have, "This merits further study", and I think it does as alternate text of a key exposition of a great artist's views.
Nine leaves, 8-1/4 by 13-1/8 inches (approx. 209 by 333 mm). Perhaps the odd paper size will be a clue to its origin.
Edition + Condition: Very good with old folds and some spotting. Rust stains from a paperclip in the corner. With handcorrections in pencil in about 20 places.
Publication: (ca. 1955).
Item No: #307246
Price: $300