Robert Motherwell (1915-1991), alongside Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning, made up the quartet of abstract painters that radically defined Modern painting in America and established New York City as the new center of the art world.
Motherwell was the unofficial spokesman of the New York School, writing, editing a journal, and lecturing on behalf of the movement, his fellow artists, and the merits of abstraction.
While Motherwell's contribution to the art historical canon as a painter is undisputed, his role as a printmaker is arguably just as important. From the early 1960s until his death in 1991, Motherwell worked tirelessly in search of new techniques, whether at his own printmaking atelier or collaborating with others, to expand his ideas and express his aesthetic. He was one of the most experimental and courageous printmakers of the 20th century.
While it is almost impossible to decipher any trace of figuration in Motherwell's oeuvre, he was inspired by and referenced literature, politics, and art history.
Made in one run with a single colour applied to a copper plate, this print is subtle in coloring but impactful because of Motherwell's signature approach to abstraction. Burnt sienna gestural shapes sit atop the plate's ghost, with rust-colored speckles bleeding into the negative space.
"Irish Suite" is a series of 8 prints. The group features Motherwell's signature gestural lines arranged in bold, explorative compositions in a limited color palette that is typical of Motherwell's oeuvre. This suite was completed late in the artist's life, one year before Motherwell's passing.
Prints from the Irish Suite are in the permanent collections of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Questions about this piece? Contact us or call +1.416.704.1720.
Visit our Toronto gallery on Thursdays or by appointment.
"Irish Suite #6"
1990
Etching on Twinrocker May Linen Paper
Initialed "RM" and numbered 13/15 in pencil, lower margin
From an edition of 15
17"H 15"W (sheet)
22.75"H 20.5"W (framed)
Very good condition.
This work is published in the first printed catalogue raisonné (Dedalus Foundation, 2003) under no. 507. It is also listed in the fully comprehensive Prints & Editions online catalogue raisonné, Dedalus Foudation, no. CR512.
- Where does the inventory ship from?
Our inventory is divided between New York and Toronto.
- Where do you ship to?
We can ship anywhere. Typically when we ship within North America we prefer to use FedEx or DHL. To Europe, Asia and beyond we generally use DHL.
- How much does it cost to ship?
For shipments within North America, we typically charge a flat rate fee. Many items on our site will list the rate. For shipping outside of North America, we can easily provide a quote and will look for the most efficient and economical option.
Most of the items on our site can be easily shipped internationally.
Occasionally we will recommend that an artwork be removed from its frame for shipping. Larger framed works are typically framed with plexiglass. We export over 80% of what we sell, so we are comfortable shipping anywhere.
- Are there additional taxes or fees?
When a work is valued above $2,500 usd there is a possibility of tax of 0.35%, but this is applied sporadically. There can similarly be an additional fee for customs brokerage and this can range from $20 - $65. US Taxes, duties and customs brokerage are not included in our flat rate shipping. However most of our shipments to the US enter without any additional fees.
- Do you provide a certificate of authenticity?
Yes, we guarantee everything we sell. We can provide both a digital and printed version of our certificate of authenticity.
What is your return policy?
- Caviar20 wants you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase. We have a 7 day no-questions full refund return policy for your purchase. Shipping charges are non-refundable. Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer. After 8 days returns are given a credit note. There is no expiration for our credit notes.
- What payment methods do you accept?
Canadian clients are welcomed and encouraged to pay with interac.