Bidspirit auction | Grace Hartigan Mixed Media Collage

Grace Hartigan Mixed Media Collage ca. 1950s-1960s - Grace Hartigan (American, 1922-2008). Mixed media on paper collage, ca. 1950s-1960s. Label from Berry Campbell Gallery, NY along the verso. Exhibition: Gazelli Art House, ”Montage, ” London, UK, May 17 to July 10, 2024. Provenance: Acquired by Tom Clyde, former husband of Mary Abbott, in the 1950s/60s directly from the artist; Cottone Auctions, Oct. 3, 2020, Lot 84; Private Minnesota Collection. Lot Essay: Grace Hartigan (March 28, 1922-November 15, 2008) was a trailblazing American Abstract Expressionist painter, celebrated for her bold and dynamic contributions to the mid-20th-century art scene. Born in Newark, New Jersey, her artistic journey began at an early age, and she later pursued formal training at the Newark College of Engineering and the George Washington University. However, it was in the vibrant atmosphere of post-war New York City that Hartigan truly found her artistic voice. In the early 1950s, Hartigan became associated with the famed New York School, a group of avant-garde artists who played a pivotal role in the development of Abstract Expressionism. She was notably close to Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Mary Abbott, Helen Frankenthaler, Alfred Leslie, Franz Kline, and other influential artists of the era, yet her unique approach to painting set her apart. Hartigan's work often blended abstraction with elements of figurative representation, creating a distinctive style that defied easy categorization. Hartigan's impact on the art world extended beyond her prolific studio practice. She was a prominent figure in the burgeoning feminist art movement, advocating for greater recognition and opportunities for women artists. In 1982, she was appointed the first female full professor of art at the Maryland Institute College of Art, solidifying her role as a trailblazer for women in the arts. Her extensive body of work has been exhibited in major institutions around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Grace Hartigan's legacy endures as a testament to her innovative spirit and unwavering commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. Sight; height: 14 3/4 in x width: 20 1/2 in. Framed; height: 23 1/2 in x width: 29 1/4 in x depth: 1 1/4 in. Condition: The sheet is toned. Area of foxing and deeper toning along the left edge. Some undulation to the sheet throughout. Light wear along the edges. No tears, losses, or restorations. There is a small area of skimming along the verso that does not affect the recto. The sheet is floated in frame and affixed to a non-acidic backing with several pieces of tape along the upper edge of the verso. The paper backing of the frame has been cut to allow for inspection of the verso of the artwork. Framed under plexiglass. Light wear to the frame.