Lefebre Gallery invitation for an exhibition of Pierre Alechinsky that ran November 1 through December 3, 1977.  Single sheet folded twice to create 6 pages, featuring an original lithograph executed for this invitation.  Signed and dated in pen by Alechinsky.  Even unsigned copies are scarce.  This is only known signed version to come to market.  Folded size: 7 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches; unfolded size: 7 1/2 x 21 3/4 inches.  Mint condition, from the private collection of a member of the New York Print Society.

Pierre Alechinsky (b. 1927) is a Belgian painter and artist known for his contributions to the art movement known as CoBrA, Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam, which were the cities where the founding members of the movement hailed from.  CoBrA included artists like Christian Dotremont, Karel Appel, Constant, Jan Nieuwenhuys and Asger Jorn, was active in the late 1940s and early 1950s and was characterized by its emphasis on spontaneity, experimentation, and the use of vibrant colors.  The CoBrA movement rejected formalism and sought to break away from the constraints of traditional artistic styles.  They often embraced a childlike, intuitive approach to art-making and were influenced by Surrealism and primitive art.

Pierre Alechinsky's work is often associated with calligraphy and spontaneous brushwork.  He created paintings, drawings, and prints that often featured abstract and whimsical imagery.  Throughout his career, Alechinsky has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to contemporary art.  His works are held in the collections of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, the Tate, Museum Ludwig in Cologne, the New York Museum of Modern Art, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, the Art Museum of Southeast Texas in Beaumont, Texas, the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  The main-belt asteroid 14832 Alechinsky was named in his honor.