Manzoni, Piero | Impronta del pollice sinistro, 1960 — available on Composition Gallery

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// Impronta del pollice sinistro (Left Thumbprint) by Piero Manzoni is a limited edition lithograph from 1960 that emphasizes individuality and identity through the unique imprint of a thumb. This piece, showcasing a highly magnified fingerprint, distills personal identity into an iconic, abstract form. By focusing on the biometrics of the human body, Manzoni elevates the ordinary into the realm of art, inviting reflection on themes of existence, self, and human uniqueness. The lithograph’s simple black-and-white contrast accentuates the intricate details of the fingerprint, making each line a testament to individuality. With an edition size of only 60, this work is a powerful example of Manzoni's conceptual exploration of identity.

Piero Manzoni (Italy, 1933–1963) was an avant-garde artist renowned for his provocative conceptual works that challenged traditional art forms. His most infamous piece, 'Artist's Shit' (1961), consisted of 90 sealed cans purportedly containing his own excrement, questioning the value and commercialization of art. Manzoni's innovative approach significantly influenced the development of conceptual art.

Piero Manzoni

Impronta del pollice sinistro, 1960

Name: Impronta del pollice sinistro, 1960
SKU: 6903

Form

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition PrintA limited edition print is one of a number of prints made at the same time from one printmaking plate. A fixed number are made and signed by the artist, indicating the printing order, using the format 1/10, meaning first of ten prints.

Medium

Lithograph

Lithograph Lithography is a printing method based on the principle that water and oil do not mix. It can be used to print artwork or text onto paper or other suitable materials. Traditionally, an image was drawn with wax, fat, or oil onto a lithographic limestone surface or plate. Today, metal plates and other surfaces are also used in lithographic printing.

Edition

Edition of 60

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Piero Manzoni

Impronta del pollice sinistro, 1960

Limited Edition Print

Lithograph

Currently Not Available

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I sell an idea, an idea in a can.
- Piero Manzoni

"Piero Manzoni was an Italian conceptual artist. Manzoni's art form is atypical in that common artistic tools like paint and paper are eschewed in favor of the use of inanimate objects. Often compared to Yves Klein, Piero Manzoni was captivated when he witnessed Klein's Monochrome exhibition when it came to Italy in the late 1950s and convinced him simple concepts could produce great art. Manzoni's notable works include "Achromes," which is a concoction of cotton wool, fiberglass, rabbit skin and bread rolls. Another is the 1960 work "Artist Breath," depicted by a series of red, white and blue balloons mounted on wooden bases. A number of art critics surmised Piero Manzoni’s creations were his way of expressing dismay with the consumerism which overtook his homeland following World War II. Piero Manzoni’s work has been exhibited throughout Europe. Public collections of his art are on display in museums, such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Tate Museum in London. Manzoni died in 1963. He was only 29-years-old.

What is Emphemeral Art?

Ephemeral art is a type of art that occurs only once and typically lasts for a very short period. It cannot be displayed as a traditional work of art in a gallery or museum. Examples of ephemeral art include performances, happenings, sound sculptures, flyers, and mass-produced items. This art form emphasizes the transient nature of the experience, existing only in the moment and often leaving no lasting physical trace.

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Piero Manzoni

Impronta del pollice sinistro, 1960

49.7 x 35 cm

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Piero Manzoni