American printmaking: When Americans were kings of prints
A new exhibition at the British Museum looks at American culture through the medium of printmaking.
Louis Lozowick, New York, c.1925, Lithograph
The British Museum holds the largest collection of American prints up to 1960 outside the United States.
Leonard Pytlak, Uptown, 1939, Colour lithograph
The exhibition shows how American artists responded to the Jazz Age, the Depression and the rise of Fascism in Europe. It also examines the impact of the landmark Armoury Show in 1913 and the rise of American Modern Art.
Fred Becker, Fandango, 1949, Colour etching
The show opens with etchings by John Sloan depicting everyday urban life in the early years of the twentieth century.
John Sloan, Turning out the light [from the 'New York City Life' series], 1905, Etching
During the Depression, printmaking was encouraged through the Federal Art Project which provided relief to unemployed artists under the US Government’s Works Progress Administration.
James E. Allen, The Connectors, 1934, Etching on pale yellow paper
Robert Gwathmey was among the many artists who used screenprinting to create socially concious images at this time.
Robert Gwathmey, Share Croppers, 1944, Colour screenprint
America’s most distinctive art movement, Abstract Expressionism, is represented with works by Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning.
Jackson Pollock, Untitled, c.1944-45, 1967 re-strike, Engraving and drypoint
The American Scene is showing at the British Museum from April 10 until September 7.
Via Telegraph.co.uk
Add a comment