Enrico Baj, Italian, 1924-2003, 1964. Italy. Collage of military figures, assemblage. Dames et Generaux slipcover book and set of 8 aquatint etchings. Each etching is editioned and signed in graphite. 9.5 x 7.5 in. image, 13.25 x 10.5 in. frame

Dayton's Gallery 12 Minneapolis, MN

Private Collection, MN

Baj was educated at the Academia di Brera. He founded the Nuclear Art Movement with Sergio Dangelo, and the imaginary Bauhaus in Italy with Asger Jorn. He was associated with the Nouveau Realiste group in Milan, Duchamp in New York, Andre Breton in Paris, and Max Ernst in Paris. Baj was an anarchist concerned with political issues such as the atomic war, the war in Algeria. He created artwork in opposition to destruction and oppression with ironic and playful overtones. To do so, the subjects of his works were highly stylized figures that were often grotesque military personnel and nudes, dismembering their form to express the scorching of matter. This collection of aquatints include military personnel along with fantastic figures, all with the vitality and texture of Baj's mixed media works.