Harold Town (1924-1990) is one of Canada's most influential and prolific artists. He also remains one of the best-known and most intriguing artists from the "Painters Eleven" group.
Town's reputation was established in the mid-1950s with a series of unique prints ("Single Autographic Prints") that included collage elements. In 1956, he represented Canada at the Venice Biennale with the works from this body of work.
This is an important and early Harold Town monotype. We can deduce that this was created during his first experiments with using printmaking materials, such as a lithographic stone, to make unique works.
While later Single Autographic Prints were characterized by layers of color and collage elements, this untitled work (nicknamed "Lines and Loops") is noticeable for its spontaneity and simplicity. Town would both incorporate actual string into these works, but here a printed line emulates its form and character.
This is not only the earliest Harold Town artwork we've handled, but also one of the earliest monotypes we've seen. Click here to see an example created only a week later in 1953.
Throughout his career Town changed styles easily and impulsively, yet one of the recurring motifs in his work is a strong sense of dynamism and intricacy.
Today, Town's work is represented in prestigious collections across North America including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Museum of Modern Art (New York), and the Guggenheim (New York).
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Untitled, aka "Lines and Loops"
Canada, 1953
Monotype
Signed and dated "Dec - 1 53" by the artist in the plate
17"H 19"W (work)
23.25"H 25.25W (framed)
Very good condition.
Provenance: The Estate of Harold Town
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