Alexander Calder - "La Mousson (The Monsoon)"

La Mousson (The Monsoon), 1965; Lithograph on Rives BFK paper; Signed Calder in pencil bottom right and numbered 16/90 in pencil lower left; Published by Maeght, Paris; Framed with two acid free linen mats, a black wood fillet, a black and gold wood frame, and UV conservation clear glass.

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Alexander Calder was an American artist, most known for his creation of the mobil; a kinetic sculpture constructed of very delicately balanced components that move in response to motor power or air currents.  The creation of the mobil was a direct result of having visited the studio of Piet Mondrian and seeing his hard edge geometric paintings and wondering, what they would look like if they moved?

Photograph of the Calder signature.

Although most are familiar with his sculptures, many are not familiar with his paintings and prints.  Calder was painting as early as 1920, and continued in both the paint and print mediums until his unexpected death in 1976.  This work, entitled "La Mousson (The Monsoon)" from 1965, is an example of an extremely well worked and executed stone lithograph showcasing some of Calder's most used imagery.  The red sun is located in the mid-right with the primary colored pin wheel just below and to the left.  The bottom left corner contains a black hourglass form, very typical of Calder use of  black color to enhance flatness.  The top of the sheet contains black dots with dripping runs of the colors related to the sun, red-orange and yellow.  All of these compositional forms are used to relate to the monsoon rainy weather season: the rain pouring down from above, the red sun low in the sky, the pin wheel relating to wind, and black hourglass form correlating to time, as in the rainy season.

Framed Alexander Calder's "La Mousson (The Monsoon)"

#calder #alexandercalder #lithograph #mousson #monsoon #art #artcollecting #mobil

"Miguel Bose" - by Andy Warhol

Miguel Bose; Serigraph, 1983, on Saunders Waterford paper, one of a small number of impressions, with the 'The Estate of Andy Warhol' and 'Authorized by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts' inkstamps on the reverse, with full margins, in very good condition; Framed using two acid free mats, a silver wood frame and plexiglass.

To purchase this work or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

Miguel Bose was born in Panama into a very artistic and culturally diverse family.  His father was Luis Miguel Dominguin, a famous Spanish bullfighter and his mother was Lucia Bose, an Italian actress.  Miguel's godfather was Luchino Visconti the famous Italian director, and Pablo Picasso was the godfather to his sister Paola Dominguin.  Not only was Pablo Picasso a close friend of the family, but so was the world famous author Ernest Hemingway.  Miguel continued his family's artistic slant by becoming a Latin Grammy-winning Spanish/Italian musician and actor.

Photograph of the Andy Warhol Estate and Foundation stamps, verso.

In the summer of 1983 Miguel Bose was interviewed and photographed by Andy Warhol for the cover of "Interview Magazine."  Bose, during the same year, commissioned Warhol to design the cover of his ninth album "Made In Spain."  This work pictured is a unique color and combination variant using the series of different portrait poses that Warhol created of Miguel Bose during that commissioned project.  The main portrait base color ranges from deep blues to bold greens and the line highlights read left to right from rich reds to orange, yellow, green, and finally to blue.  The result is a very large and beautiful portrait of a great musician by master Pop artist Andy Warhol.

Photograph of the framed Andy Warhol portrait of Miguel Bose.

#warhol #andywarhol #miguelbose #madeinspain #art #artcollecting #picasso #pablopicasso #madeinspain

Jonathan Seliger - "The Wedding Present"

The Wedding Present, 2005; Automotive enamel on bronze with zinc handles; 3-D sculpture of a Tiffany & Co. Shopping Bag; Signed Seliger, dated 2005 and numbered 2/5 in ink (on bottom); Size: 32" x 26" x 10"

To purchase this work or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

Jonathan Seliger's sculpture entitled, "The Wedding Gift" is a bronze photorealistic sculpture of a classic Tiffany & Co. shopping Bag.   The instantly recognizable difference to the real thing is the size, the work measures an incredible 32" x 26" x 10." Seliger is known for his meticulous reproductions/interpretations of mass produced objects, with particular attention paid to everyday packing containers.   The social/economic status gained by carrying luxury shopping bags, in this case a Tiffany and Co. bag, is explored by super sizing it and presenting it without a shopping context.  The status of the bag is further anointed by making it into a free standing bronze sculpture complete with braided zinc handles and painting it using automative enamel.  Seliger's artistic use of language is apparent in the titles he choses for his works.  "The Wedding Present" title identifies more specifically the bag's contents and adds a humorous as well as a social commentary.

Photograph showing the signature and the edition number located on the bottom of the work.

#seliger #jonathanseliger #tiffany&co #popart #sculpture #photorealism #bronzesculpture #art #artcollecting

Salvador Dali "Theseus And The Minotaur (Thésée Et Le Minotaure)"

Theseus And The Minotaur (Thésée Et Le Minotaure) From "The Mythology", 1963; Etching and Aquatint on Arches paper; Signed Dalí in pencil, lower center and numbered 5/150 in pencil, lower left; Framed using an acid-free mat, an inset brown wood interior fillet frame, a gold and brown wood exterior frame and conservation clear UV protective glass.

To purchase this work or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

Artists draw inspiration from a variety of sources, and Salvador Dali loved to use literature as his starting point.  The Bible, Tora, and the writings of William Shakespeare, Jean de La Fontaine, Dante Alighieri, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, are just a few examples.  This work is a visual interpretation of the Greek myth "Theseus and the Minotaur"; and showcases not only Dali's masterful skill in the print medium, but his fantastic illustrative ability.

Closeup of the Dali pencil signature.

Once upon a time on the island of Crete there lived a King named Minos.  He would occasionally send his army across the sea to attack the city of Athens and plunder it for it's wealth.  The King of Athens offered Minos a deal that if he did not attack his city for 9 years he would send seven boys and seven girls to the island of Crete, to be eaten by the monstrous Minotaur that Minos kept as a pet.  The Minotaur was a half human, half bull creature that Minos kept inside a complex labyrinth.  King Minos did not attack Athens again and after 9 years, it was time for the King of Athens to keep his word.  The King's son, Prince Theseus, decided that he would be the seventh son to go to Crete in order to kill the Minotaur and rid Athens of this terrible deal.  The King begged his son not to go for fear he would be killed but Theseus said, "I'll find a way, the gods will help me."  

Photograph of the framed Dali

Prince Theseus with six boys and seven girls sailed to the island of Crete.  When the children arrived they were greeted by King Minos and his daughter the Princess Ariadne.  Ariadne decided to help Theseus and gave him a ball of string and a sword to hide at the entrance to the labyrinth.  The sword would be a powerful weapon against the Minotaur and the sting could be attached to the closed gate and slowly unrolled as Theseus walked through the labyrinth, in order to find your way out.

This wonderful work of art by Dali captures the ensuing action of Prince Theseus battling the Minotaur with his bare hands, while the beautiful Princess Ariadne is depicted holding onto the string which will lead the Prince safely from the labyrinth.  The aquatinting, resulting in brown and black swirls, adds to the action of the scene and also functions as a wonderful counterbalance to the black etching lines.

#dali #salvadordali #signeddali #mythology #theseus #minotaur #etching #art #artcollecting

Arman - "Violon Brule Dans Resine (Burned Violin and Bow In Resin)"

Violon Brule Dans Resine (Burned Violin and Bow In Resin), 2004; Burned violin and bow embedded in polyester resin; Signed Arman in white lower right; Inscribed Atelier Bocquel and incised 65/100 lower right verso; Recorded in the Arman Studio Archives under number APA# 8400.04.003; Size: Violin In Resin 29 1/4 x 11 1/2 x 2 1/4", Base 9 x 11 1/2 x 1 3/4"

To purchase this work or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE 

New Realism was an art movement that started in France in 1960 with Pierre Restany writing it's original manifesto which proclaimed: "Nouveau Realisme -new ways of perceiving the real."  This group of artists was interested in new ways in which to create art, and in the process subvert the status quo.  The artist Arman was one of the original founding members and he was known for his "accumulations" and for his destruction/recomposition of ordinary objects.  For what he called his "Coupes (cuts)" he featured objects with a strong "identity" such as musical instruments, with the violin being his most famous subject matter.  These objects were then transformed by slicing, smashing, or burning them in order to further activate the form and therefore present them in an entirely new state.  

Back of the sculpture

Arman incised signature

This work "Violon Brule Dans Resine (Burned Violin and Bow In Resin)," is an iconic work by Arman.  It features a burned violin and it's bow embedding in a block of polyester resin.  The work is signed by Arman, numbered from the edition of 100, and incised with the foundry mark.  The unique presentation, of a burnt violin and bow floating in space; allows the viewer to see the transformation of the object from multiple views (back, front, top, bottom, and both sides).

Incised Foundry and Edition Number

#arman #violin #burnedviolin #art #sculpture #newrealism #nouveaurealisme #pierrerestany #popart #coupes #atelierbocquel

Andy Warhol drawing of Ulrik Trojaborg

Ulrik Trojaborg; 1986; Graphite on paper; With the 'The Estate of Andy Warhol' and 'Authorized by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts' inkstamps and numbered 115.315 on verso; Framed floated on an acid free linen mat, with a high gloss white wood frame, and UV conservation clear glass.

To purchase this work or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

Ulrik Trojaborg was the former Creative Director of the Keith Haring Foundation and an extremely accomplished dancer and who had even studied under the world famous choreographer, George Balanchine.  It was through the NY City Ballet that Ulrik met Andy Warhol.

"I was friendly with Andy towards the end of his life and he wanted to paint my portrait. I think that this drawing was one of the studies for the actual portrait. I was working for Peter Martins at the New York City Ballet at that time (I'd been a dancer there as well) and we were preparing the American Music Festival - must have been 1986 - and various well-known artists were doing work for us to be shown as front curtains for the ballets. Andy was going to do a great curtain for us unfortunately he died before it could happen. I think I'm also mentioned towards the end of his diaries. He liked coming to the ballet and hanging out with us after. He was a very big influence on all of us who were privileged to get to know him." - Ulrik Trojaborg, 2014

Andy Warhol Estate stamp, Foundation stamp, and Authentication number on verso

This drawing is a wonderful profile of Ulrik with the drawing of his hair fading into the deckled edge of the thick paper.  In addition, the drawing is very large with the sheet being 31 1/4"x 23 1/2" and the framed work an impressive 43 1/2"x 35 1/2".  This was a large format drawing study for the canvas paintings that were eventually produced.

"Andy did Jock's (Soto), Heather Watt's, and my portrait at the same time as we'd all become friendly with him. As you know, Andy worked with multiples so there were several versions of my portrait. I have one that he gave me shortly before he died and I know the Foundation or the Warhol Museum have at least one as a version of my portrait was included in the DIA/Beacon Warhol portrait show. I think I hung between Eleanor Roosevelt and Stephen Sprouse." - Ulrik Trojaborg, 2014

Framed drawing of Ulrik Trojaborg

#andywarhol #warhol #ulriktrajaborg #warholfoundation #art #warholdrawing #artcollecting #drawing #popart #nycityballet #georgebalanchine

Kenneth Noland and Gloria Ross "after Bell, 1966"

After Bell, 1966; Artist - Kenneth Noland; A Gloria F. Ross Tapestry (carpet); Hooked (tufted) wool on canvas (sheared); Edition 5 plus 1 AP; only 2 known to exist and only one complete with the black splatter, bottom right; Size: 96" x 96"

To purchase this work or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

Gloria Ross, sister to the artist Helen Frankenthaler, worked with Kenneth Noland, Robert Motherwell, Louise Nevelson, Jean Dubuffet, Frank Stella, Jack Youngerman, Romare Bearden, Paul Jenkins, Hans Hoffman, Helen Frankenthaler, Gene Davis, and many many more of the twentieth century's greatest artists making tapestries of their paintings by has she has said, "translating paint into wool."  For the majority of her projects, the weaving was done by professionals in Felletin, a small French town near Aubusson and at the Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh; however it can not be overstated how vital and hands-on Gloria was in the process.  Much like the famed lithographer printers who worked with such titans as Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall; Gloria Ross was in total control of the artistic endeavor from beginning to end.

Cropped detail of the Tapestry

Gloria Ross and Kenneth Noland collaborated from 1966-1997, and represented the longest running working relationship that Gloria ever had with any artist.  Gloria Ross, "When I started working professionally and established my workshop, Ken Noland was the fist artist to embrace the world of tapestry.  It was like stepping out into space in those days."  In 1966, "after Bell", was Gloria's earliest work executed professionally outside her extended family; and is of course the first work created by Noland in this medium.  The image for this tapestry was created from the Kenneth Noland painting entitled "Bell" painted in 1959.  For this first and early Kenneth Noland tapestry, the weavers for "after Bell" were George Wells Ruggery and Anna di Giovanni, both from Glen Cove, NY.  Below is an extremely rare photograph from the Richard Feigen Gallery, Chicago in 1971 showing works by Gloria Ross.

Kenneth Noland's "after Bell, 1960" being shown in the gallery along side of Robert Motherwell's "after Elegy to the Spanish Republic No. 78, 1963" copyright Gloriia Ross Foundation

Close-up detail of "after Bell, 1966"

Although the edition was: 5 plus 1 AP; only 2 examples are known to exist and this is the only one that is complete with the black splatter on the bottom right.  The other known example, without the black splatter, hung in the American Bank building in Kansas City and is now in private collection.  The catalog raisonne reference for "after Bell" is: Hedlund #56, pg. 239.

Close-up of the black splatter located in the bottom right.

Link to the Gloria F. Ross Center for Tapestry Studies and "after Bell"

It can not be overstated that Gloria Ross works are extremely rare in the open market; and that her tapestries are collected by individuals, major corporations, and the world's finest art museums.  Works by Robert Motherwell and Helen Frankenthaler rendered as tapestries by Ross, hang in the entrance to the Philadelphia Convention Center and the museums owning Ross tapestries include the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Textile Museum in Washington, the Denver Art Museum, and many more.

#noland #kennethnoland #tapestry #gloriaross #frankenthaler #helenfrankenthaler #textile #art #artcollecting #robertmotherwell #motherwell

Pablo Picasso - "Étude de Profils (Study of Profiles)"

Étude de Profils (Study of Profiles); 1948, Lithograph on wove paper, signed in pencil Picasso bottom right and numbered 47/50 in pencil bottom left; Dated 6.12.48 in the plate lower left; The full sheet, with margins; Framed floated using acid free hinges; and framed using a black wood frame, two linen mats, a black wood fillet, and UV conservation clear glass.

To purchase this work or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

On December 6, 1948, Pablo Picasso created one of his largest lithographs that he ever made, "Étude de Profils (Study of Profiles)" which measures 29" x 22 1/2."  The famous printer and publisher Mourlot stated that this lithograph was created as a "series of pen and brush drawings [and] crayon rubbings to try a paper sized according to the artist's instructions."  The work shows over 20 profiles and 6 eye studies.  What is so wonderful about this work is the ability to view many different ways in which Picasso composed his subject matter.  In addition, the top row of profiles seem to slowly morph one profile into the next, as if Picasso's last drawing functions as a starting point for his next.  

Close up of Picasso's hand signature in graphite pencil

Close up of the dating 6.12.48 (in the plate) and then numbered 47/50 in graphite pencil

The majority of the images depict females and the three that are males, are caricatures; comprising three frowning and one smiling profiles all located on the far left of the image.  The female studies include several of his past lover, mistress, and muse; Marie-Therese Walter, as well as the current lovers during this time in the 1940's, Dora Maar and Francoise Gilot.  Some of the profiles are simple line drawings while others are extremely complex and detailed studies; and the entire lithographic image was given a wonderful background tone that seems to further join and relate all the profiles together into a cohesive single image.  The work is in excellent condition and showcases Picasso's drawing and technical skill as well as his draftsman abilities.  The catalogue raisonne references are: Bloch 581; Mourlot 132; Cantz 432; and Rau 404.

Framed image of "Étude de Profils (Study of Profiles)"

#picasso #pablopicasso #Marie-ThereseWalter #doramaar #FrancoiseGilot #signedpicasso #lithograph #art #artcollecting