Borein had a specific spontaneity to his work, which was based on an inherent familiarity with the subjects he depicted. The use of line and linear “color” in Borein’s etchings display his easy spontaneity and his dexterity with line is particularly visible on rare remarques which can be found in the margins of some of his most desirable prints.
A remarque (re-mark) is a small, personalized drawing or symbol that an artist adds (near his or her signature) on a print.
This Borein exhibition highlights the Borein remarque. These individual, unique graphite drawings, are shown on our website alone, and then also with the print they accompany. Often at his best in small-scale work, these pencil drawings demonstrate Borein’s facility with his subject and with various techniques. It is believed these drawings were done spontaneously when a well-known collector or friend would purchase a print directly from Borein. Shown here in detail, they focus our attention and remind us that Borein’s abilities were vast and indeed remarkable.