Sol LeWitt
SOL LEWITT "PLATE #12" AQUATINT, 1990
Sol LeWitt (1928-2007) is one of the most influential contributors to the century's most cerebral "isms", notably minimalism and conceptual art.
His famous large-scale "wall drawings" challenged the conventional definition of authorship; many of his works were created from detailed instructions rather than his own hand and labor.
Regardless of medium LeWitt is noted for his precise geometric compositions - such as this excellent color-blocked example.
In 1974, LeWitt debuted one of his most influential series titled "Variations of Incomplete Open Cubes". As the name suggests he was exploring themes of seriality and variation. The series is a collection of 122 different structures derived from an open cube design, presented alongside the corresponding diagrams of each sculpture. Through a focus on analyzing and disembodying the universally known cube shape, LeWitt created a body of work that existed solely to as a response and exploration of an idea. By doing so, he freed his art from the subjective judgements of composition and expression.
This aquatint is from his 1990 series "Forms Derived from a Cubic Rectangle". It was a set of prints that complemented the wall drawings Lewitt was creating. A key approach to his practice, LeWitt is exploring the possibilities of variations from a specific geometric form.
LeWitt worked with a number of mediums, however aquatint became LeWitt's preferred printmaking method because of its ability to achieve rich tonalities while enhancing the form's dimensionality on the paper.
(Aquatint was the preferred method of printmaking in the late 1700's. It uses acid on a metal plate and is ideal for creating both depth and tonal variations as it burns into the surface. Goya, Mary Cassatt and Audubon are a few of the artists who used this method for printmaking.
This particular work is a paradigm of LeWitt's work.
To learn more about Sol LeWitt,
Wikipedia has a generous and comprehensive on LeWitt's life and work.
Additional images available on request.
Questions about this piece? Contact us or call +1.416.704.1720
"Forms Derived from a Cubic Rectangle, Plate #12"
USA, 1990
Signed and numbered by the artist in pencil
Gallery label verso
Aquatint on Magnani Italia paper
From an edition of 20
20"H 26"W (work)
23"H 29"W (framed)
Very good condition
Publisher: Multiples Inc., New York
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