William Kent 1964 Artist's Proof Slate Print "In Memoriam 1917-1963"

Item Details

William Kent (American; 1919-2012)
In Memoriam 1917-1963, 1964
Slate print in blue and red on rice paper
Signed and dated in graphite to lower right
Inscribed in graphite ’Artist’s Proof #3’ to lower left
From an edition of 23 or more
17’ W x 17’ H

A slate print in red and blue on rice paper titled In Memoriam 1917-1963 by well-listed American artist William Kent (1919-2012), created in 1964. This work is signed and dated by hand in graphite to the lower right. It is inscribed ’Artist’s Proof #3’ to the lower left. Presented under glass with burlap matting, it is housed in a brown wood frame with a pewter-tone liner. A label from Gallery M, Inc. is adhered to the verso.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, sculptor and printmaker William Kent served in the Navy, then graduated from Northwestern University. He went to Yale University to study music theory and composition under the world-famous composer Paul Hindemith. While at Yale, Kent became interested in art, and taught himself to paint in oils, sculpt in clay, and carve in marble and wood. In 1963 he began carving into huge discarded slate blackboards, and developed a unique method of printing monoprints on fabric without assistants or the use of machinery. Kent did not fit comfortably into any particular art ‘school.’ Although his work was exhibited with Pop artists during their popularity in the ’60s, his biting political and satirical works were too strong for the Pop genre. His work has been collected by numerous institutions including the Brooklyn Museum, the Smithsonian Institutions, and the Detroit Institute of Art, among others.

Condition

- slight toning throughout paper; some snags and stains scattered throughout mat; wear in frame includes small chips, scratches, stains, and finish loss throughout; torn paper backing.

Dimensions

- measurement of frame; plate marks measures approximately 17" W x 17" H.

Item #

18DCC200-549