Phases of the Moon (unique state)

Bernard Childs

Bernard Childs did 18 state proofs of "Phases of the Moon", numbered 1 through 18. He also printed an "edition" of 14 artist's proofs numbered 1/14 - 14/14. He printed all these himself on his press in Harrison, New York, where it had been shipped from Paris.

The 18 state proofs varied dramatically from each other as he experimented with different color combinations, which he printed simultaneously using the differing viscosities of the inks, a technique developed at Atelier 17.

This impression was his first proof, before he added three circular shapes - "moons" - to either side of the central mass. In the later impressions the circles are printed dark and light and the colors are more subdued.

Judith Childs commented on this work: "The first five states emphasize calligraphic elements in the plate & make male forms clear. State proof #8 (in the Brooklyn Museum) and state proof #9 emphasize the sensual female form before introduction of orbits and phases of the moon."

Other state proofs are held at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Newark Public Library, New York Public Library and the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers. Impressions of this work were included in numerous exhibitions in America and Europe.