Bronze, black and white marble
France, 1986
Arman (1928-2005) – French-American artist and cofounder of the Nouveau Réalisme
George Boisgontier (b. 1931) – French sculptor
Kings and queens signed and numbered ‘arman 5/5’ and ‘Boisgontier 5/5’ respectively
Limited edition 5/5
With certificate of authenticity from George Boisgontier
Dimensions chessboard: 244 x 244 cm
Dimensions figures: 26 x 19 x 10 cm to 52 x 21 x 28 cm
Good condition
Provenance: Private Collection Italy
An unusual object by two renowned contemporary artists, which perfectly showcases Arman’s as well as Boisgontier’s respective sculptural talents

In 1986 Arman (1928-2005) and George Boisgontier (b. 1931) created this extraordinary chess game titled ‘Double Gambit’. 32 bronze figures are arranged on a chessboard covered with black and white marble tiles. The 16 figures designed by Arman reflect the artist’s passion for sensual forms of the stringed instrument, which he has explored in many of his works, and contrast with Boisgontier’s figures, whose archaic forms transform them into modern fetishes. The subtle geometry and understated symbolism creates an infinite dialogue in bronze. For the artists, the chess game is an allegory of life: as a controlled by nature and his own conflicting emotions figure, the human being is constantly in check.



The present work is number 5 from a limited edition of 5. A certificate of authenticity from George Boisgontier, signed by both artists, is enclosed.



The chessboard is in good condition. The figures show signs of wear. Some tiles show minor damages. Additional tiles are enclosed. The size of the figures ranges from 26 x 19 x 10 cm to 52 x 21 x 28 cm. The chess board measures 244 x 244 cm.



Arman (1928-2005)

Arman, actually Armand Pierre Fernandez, first studied at the École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs in Nice before studying archeology and oriental art at the École du Louvre in Paris. At the same time he created already paintings inspired by surrealism. The artist became interested in African art and is fascinated by the works of Serge Poliakoff, Jackson Pollock and Kurt Schwitters. In 1958 he took on the alias Arman and began to experiment with the first accumulations. An exhibition in 1960, for which the artist had the gallery filled with waste lead to sudden fame. In subsequent years, the artist realized numerous performances and installations. Works by Arman are held at the MoMA in New York, the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington and the Tate Gallery in London.



George Boisgontier

George Boisgontier was born in Bordeaux in 1931 and is known for his deeply original and individual works. After numerous travels around the Far and Middle East, which strongly influenced his oeuvre, he settled in Vence, in the South of France, where he became acquainted with the French artists Arman and César. Boisgontier’s imaginative sculptures are reminiscent of Egyptian and Greek deities, always full of symbolism and carrying eternal memories of antiquity.

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