MICHEL HENRICOT | LA DAME DANS LE BAIN | FANTASTIC REALISM | SERIGRAPHY

A hypnotic and timeless vision of the human body, where the figure does not bathe, but seems to levitate in a state of eternal suspension.

HISTORY AND CURATORIAL ANALYSIS

The Body as Architecture: Michel Henricot (France, 1939–2020) was a master of "Fantastic Realism." His work departs from Dalí's dreamlike surrealism to delve into something more solemn and mysterious. Henricot was obsessed with the human body, not as living flesh, but as a fossilized, mummified, or ethereal structure . This work, La Dame dans le bain (The Lady in the Bath), is a classic example of his imagery: the encapsulated human figure.

Visual Analysis: The Chrysalis. The perspective is from above, placing us in a privileged position as observers. The female figure doesn't appear to be submerged in ordinary water, but rather in an amniotic or energetic fluid of luminescent turquoise and emerald tones. What is fascinating is the treatment of the anatomy: Henricot envelops the body in bands or glazes reminiscent of a mummy's bandages or biological armor. There is no movement; there is absolute silence. The oval composition reinforces the idea of ​​a womb, sarcophagus, or science-fiction hibernation capsule. It is an image that oscillates between the ancestral (death/ritual) and the futuristic.

The screen printing technique perfectly captures the transparencies and subtle gradations that characterize Henricot's paintings. The "glow" effect around the body is very well achieved, creating that supernatural atmosphere typical of the artist.

WHY IS THIS PIECE AN OPPORTUNITY?

• Cult Artist: Henricot has a legion of devoted followers in France and the United States, lovers of visionary and fantastical art. Following his death in 2020, his work is being revisited with nostalgia.

• Sci-Fi/Mystical Aesthetic: It is a piece that fits beautifully into thematic collections of science fiction, esotericism, or unconventional figurative art.

• Limited Edition: Copy 78 of a short run of 100, guaranteeing its exclusivity.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Author: Michel Henricot (1939–2020).

• Qualification: The Lady in the Bath (La dama dans le bain).

• Year/Period: Circa 1970-1980 (His golden age of graphic production).

• Technique and Support: Color screen printing on high grammage paper.

• Dimensions: 65 x 50 cm (Paper).

• Signature: Signed in pencil "Henricot" in the lower right corner. Numbered 78/100 on the left.

• Condition: Good. The central image is in good condition and retains its vibrant colors. The white margins show foxing (rust spots).

• Inspection Guarantee: 14-day money-back guarantee to inspect the work in person.

THE WORKSHOP NOTE

This piece is magnetic. The first time I saw it, it reminded me of 1970s science fiction illustrations, but with an old-master technique. It's both unsettling and beautiful. I've selected it for the workshop because Henricot is a rare bird; he's not a painter of landscapes or flowers, he's a painter of mysteries. Despite the smudges on the paper, the central image has a captivating power.

Includes Collector's Dossier: This work is delivered accompanied by a technical sheet and historical context prepared and printed by El Taller del Coleccionista, certifying our research and known provenance.