Bidspirit auction | Robert Motherwell ”Hermitage” Print 1975

Robert Motherwell ”Hermitage” Print 1975 - Robert Motherwell (American, 1915-1991). Lithograph and screenprint in colors on Arches Cover paper titled ”Hermitage, ” 1975. Signed and editioned color trial proof along the lower right margin. Commissioned by M. Knoedler & Co., New York, to commemorate an exhibition of Russian art on loan from the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia. Published by Tyler Graphics, Ltd., Bedford Village, New York. Provenance: The Distinguished Collection of H. Harvard Arnason; thence by descent. Lot Essay: H. Harvard Arnason (1909-1986) was a pivotal figure in American art history, best known for his role as an art historian, curator, and educator. He attended the University of Manitoba from 1925-27. After immigrating to the United States to continue his education, he earned an AM degree via Northwestern in 1937 and then a Master of Fine Arts from Princeton in 1939. After serving in various roles at the Frick Collection and Hunter College, and then at the Office of War Information during World War II, he accepted a position as a professor of the art department at the University of Minnesota, where he served as chair until 1961. One of his most influential tenures was as director of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis from 1951 to 1961. Under his leadership, the museum transitioned into a nationally respected institution for modern and contemporary art. Arnason expanded the Walker’s programming to include avant-garde works, film, performance, and design, helping to redefine what a contemporary art museum could be. He also championed interdisciplinary exhibitions that bridged art and architecture, aligning with the modernist ideals of the time. Beyond the Walker, Arnason served in various significant roles, including curator at the Guggenheim Museum. His academic career reflected his deep commitment to education and the dissemination of modern art. Perhaps most enduringly, he authored ”History of Modern Art, ” first published in 1968 and now in its seventh edition. The textbook became a foundational resource in art history education, offering a comprehensive and accessible account of modern art’s evolution. Through his writing, Arnason played a crucial role in shaping the way generations of students and scholars understood the narrative of modernism. Arnason's legacy rests in both his institutional leadership and his scholarly contributions. He helped elevate modern art’s status in the United States at a time when it was still gaining traction outside major urban centers. His curatorial vision emphasized inclusivity of media and innovation, while his textbook remains a benchmark in art historical literature. Arnason bridged academic rigor with public engagement, leaving a lasting mark on the institutions he shaped and on the broader field of art history. Sight; height: 46 in x width: 31 in. Framed; height: 51 1/2 in x width: 37 in x depth: 1 in. Condition: The colors are bold and bright. The sheet is toned. There are no visible tears or losses. There are pinholes along either of the upper corners. There are three small areas of moisture exposure along the upper margin. Light wear along the deckled edges. Floated in frame atop an acidic mat. Framed under glass. Some wear to the frame. Not inspected out of frame.