Items Similar to La grande incognita (The great unknown)
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
Ray H. FrenchLa grande incognita (The great unknown)1964
1964
About the Item
La grande incognita (The great unknown)
Collage elements with paint, paint and paper foil, 1964
1964
Created while the artist was studying at the Accademia d'Arte, Florence
Signed and dated bottom center edge (see photo)
Provenance: Estate of the Artist
Martha A. French Revocable Trust
From Wikipedia
Ray H. French (May 16, 1919 – April 21, 2000) was an American printmaker, painter, sculptor and artistic innovator. He attended the John Herron School of Art and received his Bachelors and Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Iowa under professor and artist Mauricio Lasansky. While French studied, traveled, and exhibited nationally and internationally, he remained dedicated to his home state of Indiana, which served as a strong artistic inspiration to him. In addition to his artistic career, French was also on the faculty of DePauw University from 1948 to 1984. Following his retirement from university service, French continued to create artwork in his private studio until his death in Greencastle, Indiana.
Early life
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana on May 16, 1919 to parents Edgar and Radie Mae, French demonstrated his artistic abilities from an early age. For a youth with humble beginnings, art was a luxurious, even rebellious, aspiration. As a child, French was first exposed to art by Mabel Mikel Williams who taught both in Vigo County elementary schools and also private students. His interests grew as he was encouraged further at Woodrow Wilson Jr. High School by art teacher Nola E. Williams.
Education
After high school, French attended the Indiana University John Herron School of Art on scholarship. During World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and was stationed in Colorado developing reconnaissance photos. While in Colorado, he had the opportunity to study watercolor with Adolf Dehn at the University of Colorado.
Following World War II, French returned to John Herron School of Art on the G.I. Bill and then transferred to the University of Iowa, where he obtained his BFA in 1947 and MFA in 1948. In Iowa, French evolved under the mentorship of celebrated printmaker Mauricio Lasansky who had established one of the first printmaking MFA programs in the country. French's 1949 engraving entitled Porcupine is indicative of this training and was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in 1949.
Always striving to improve his craft, French continued his education at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy and the Hobart School of Welding Technology in the 1960s.
Career
French was an accomplished artist who excelled in creating engravings, etchings, embossings, graphic constructions, watercolors, pastels, and metal and Plexiglas sculptures. French's 1959 etching Enchantment remains particularly illustrative of his characteristic use of etching and soft ground intaglio. Enchantment was exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum of Art in 1960 and received the Pennell Purchase Prize from the Library of Congress the same year.
Throughout this artistic career, French was also Professor of Art at DePauw University 1948-84 where he taught printmaking and art history and was head of the art department 1970-1978. From 1963-64 he and his family lived in Florence, Italy while he attended classes at the Accademia di Belle Arti. He was also Curator of the University Art Collection 1978-1984. In 1980, French opened the Center Street Gallery behind his home near the DePauw campus where he continued his work following his retirement in 1984.
Legacy
French exhibited in national exhibitions since 1944 including 86 one-man exhibitions in the United States and Italy.
His work is in over 500 collections including The Museum of Modern Art, the Library of Congress, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Bibliothèque Nationale, the Brooklyn Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Denver Art Museum, the New York Public Library, the Boston Public Library, Midwest Museum of American Art, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the Syracuse University Art Galleries.
Over his lifetime, French also received many grants and honors including over 58 prizes and purchase awards. Specifically, French was awarded an Eli Lily Grant for an extensive tour in Europe in 1961 and received a Ford Foundation Grant in 1969 to develop a new medium in printmaking known as graphic construction.
French and his family were also avid art collectors whose collection now comprises 5 percent of the permanent collection of the Swope Art Museum in the artist's hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana. His granddaughter Adrienne French is a fine art photographer.
- Creator:Ray H. French (1919-2000, American)
- Creation Year:1964
- Dimensions:Height: 19.75 in (50.17 cm)Width: 13.88 in (35.26 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Fairlawn, OH
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1978
1stDibs seller since 2013
718 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
Associations
International Fine Print Dealers Association
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Akron, OH
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 10 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Untitled (Abstraction with musical notes)By Louisa ChaseLocated in Fairlawn, OHUntitled (Musical notes abstraction) Mixed media on paper, 1991 Signed lower right center Condition: Very good Archival framing with conservation glass Provenance: ...Category
1990s Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- untitledBy Peter MarksLocated in Fairlawn, OHUntitled Abstraction Collage with 22K gold leaf Unsigned Provenance: Estate of the artist Metal foil collage on paper Sheet: 14 x 17" (35.56 x 43.18 cm), Image: 8 x 10" (20.32 x 25.4...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- UntitledBy Peter MarksLocated in Fairlawn, OHUntitled Collage of small oil on canvas fragments, c. 2006 Unsigned Provenance: Estate of the artist Image size: 15 x 9 7/16 inches Sheet size:: 17 x 14 inches Peter Marks (1935 -2...Category
Early 2000s Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- Jazz ArtistBy Stephen LongstreetLocated in Fairlawn, OHJazz Artist Signed, dated, and titled by the artist, verso (See photos) Mixed media 3 dimensional collage Dimensions: 37 1/8 x 19 1/4 x 5 inches Although ...Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- Fire Island Behavior-Will It Spread to the Mainland?By Jack RothLocated in Fairlawn, OHFire Island Behavior-Will It Spread to the Mainland? Collage and oil paint on luan board, n.d., c. 1970's Signed in ink lower center edge (see photo) Signed with the estate stamp ver...Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- UntitledBy Ray H. FrenchLocated in Fairlawn, OHSigned and dated lower left Created in 1964 while the artist was living in Florence, Italy Collage with tissue paper and printed images and text From the Estate of the ArtistCategory
1960s Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
You May Also Like
- Movement no. 2, Abstract PaintingBy Maya MalioutinaLocated in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
"This painting is about embracing the imperfect, impermanent and incomplete," says Maya. A wall with peeling paint, rusted undertones, a rough texture, forgot...Category21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- Burden of Need, 39x64 Multi media with hand coloring and collageBy Steven SormanLocated in Southampton, NYSteve Sorman has had over 80 solo artist exhibitions throughout the United States . I have included, just for reference, some images of his museum show so that you can see the body...Category
1980s Abstract Abstract Prints
MaterialsOil Pastel, Ink, Mixed Media, Handmade Paper, Aquatint
- GIARDINO INVERNO II (WINTER GARDEN)By Jeri LedbetterLocated in Tulsa, OKGIARDINO INVERNO II (WINTER GARDEN) by artist Jeri Ledbetter is a Mixed Media on Panel that measures 46.00 X 46.00 in and is priced at $6,000.00. Jeri Ledbetter is inspired and comp...Category
2010s Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- CAMELIA 111By Jeri LedbetterLocated in Tulsa, OKJeri Ledbetter, CAMELIA 111, Mixed Media on Panel, 60.00 X 60.00 in, $10,000.00, mixed media White, Grey, Black, Red Jeri Ledbetter is inspired and compelled both by nature’s odditi...Category
2010s Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media, Panel
- Peachy Dream #1By ZabelLocated in Los Angeles, CAGuided by her passion for life and her spirit, French Canadian painter Zabel creates vibrant artworks filled with romance and immersive textures. With a belief that art is all about feeling, she creates magic and captures the moment by infusing her art with strong emotive qualities. Zabel communicates each scene with precision. Her work evokes the Impressionists, but depicts modern love and adventure. Couples stand at bar top tables...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsGold Leaf
- Mademoiselle On The 5thBy ZabelLocated in Los Angeles, CAGuided by her passion for life and her spirit, French Canadian painter Zabel creates vibrant artworks filled with romance and immersive textures. With a belief that art is all about ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsGold Leaf
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Blue The Great
The Great War
Great Masters Art
Student France
Unknown Master
French Serves
American La France
Retro French Photos
Blue French Country
World War Ii France
Unknown Photographer
Unknown French School
Unknown 1960s French
Street Art Unknown Artist
Media Library
Tour D France
Italian Modern Mixed Media
Unknown Italian School