Levon West Art
American, 1900-1968
Levon West, who also used the name Ivan Dimitri, was born on February 3, 1900 in Centerville, North Dakota. The family changed their name to West when Levon and his brothers did not want to enlist in the service during WWI under their Armenian last name, Assadoorian. The name West was chosen as it was the maiden name of Levon's mother, who was related to the early American artist Benjamin West. Levon West adopted the pen name of Ivan Dmitri to use for his color photography. His etchings and watercolors were always done under his original name, Levon West.
Levon West moved often as a boy, as his father preached in a series of North Dakota towns. West graduated from high school in Harvey, North Dakota as valedictorian and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1924. He wanted to take almost entirely art courses but his father insisted that he major in business administration. West served in the U.S Navy during WWI.
While in New York studying at the Art Students’ League and with etcher Joseph Pennell , he formed an aviation corporation with friends. They serviced planes at Roosevelt Field on Long Island. One day he noticed a different type of plane and did sketches of it. This plane belonged to Charles Lindberg. When West heard Lindberg flew the Spirit of St. Louis on a record breaking trans-Atlantic flight, he hurriedly did an etching from his sketches and took it to the New York Times. The paper asked how much he wanted for it and he said, “I don’t care how much I get for it, but put my name on it good and big at the bottom.” When the newspaper came out with his etching on the front page demand for his work followed. He was contacted by the Kennedy Galleries in New York the following day. This led to a series of successful etchings and national prominence.
As Ivan Dmitri, he helped to gain acceptance for photography as an art medium, and established one of the first photography exhibits at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dmitri felt that such a move was necessary in order for the public to treat photography as art, rather than just something reserved smaller mediums like books, magazines, and newspapers. In 1959, Ivan Dmitri founded Photography in the Fine Arts.
West was a member of the Society of American Etchers and the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and published at least two instructional books, including Making an Etching (1930). By the 1940s, his work was in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Museum, the Havemeyer Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and many others. He was represented by Kennedy Gallery in New York City.
Levon West / Ivan Dimitri died in New York City on April 25, 1968(Biography provided by Stone and Press Gallery)
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Artist: Levon West
Untitled (Venice canal, man departing the gondola)
By Levon West
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Untitled (Venice canal, man departing the gondola)
Drypoint, c. 1930-1931
Signed in pencil lower right (see photo)
Annotated in the lower margin:
"Just a souvenir made ___ Monclair Lecture" Levon West
In a supplemental list prepared by Otto Torrington he lists seven views of Venice. No edition of these Vencie images was ever printed. Only rare proof exist. I cannot find another impression of this image on line or in reference books.
Condition: Very good impression with selective inking to the plate.
Imperfections on the bottom edge of the sheet.
Image/Plate size: 14 5/16 x 8 3/8 inches
Sheet size: 17 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches
Also known as Ivan Dmitri, Levon West gained international fame for his portrayals in color photography, etchings and watercolors. During his youth, West moved throughout North Dakota, as his father was a congressional preacher. After graduating from high school he taught school for a year and enlisted in the United States Navy. West was the recipient of a scholarship to the University of...
Category
1930s American Impressionist Levon West Art
Materials
Drypoint
Rainy Day / Fifth Avenue in New York
By Levon West
Located in New Orleans, LA
This is a rare New York image by Levon West
Levon West, who also used the name Ivan Dimitri, was born on February 3, 1900 in Centerville, North Dakota. ...
Category
1930s Levon West Art
Materials
Drypoint, Etching
(HUNTERS WITH REFLECTIONS) - RICH IMPRESSION
By Levon West
Located in Santa Monica, CA
LEVON WEST (1900 - 1968)
(Untitled) - HUNTERS with REFLECTIONS. ca 1925
Etching, signed and numbered 22, lower left. Plate, 13 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches. Sheet 15 3/4 x 11 3/4 inches. ...
Category
1920s American Impressionist Levon West Art
Materials
Etching
EARLY GUNNER
By Levon West
Located in Santa Monica, CA
LEVON WEST (1900 – 1968)
EARLY GUNNER, c. 1930
Etching and drypoint signed and numbered in pencil,17. Image, 9 ½ x 15 inches. Full sheet 11 3/8 x 18 1/4 inches. With deckle ed...
Category
1930s Abstract Impressionist Levon West Art
Materials
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A CLEAN SHOT
By Levon West
Located in Santa Monica, CA
LEVON WEST (1900 – 1968)
A CLEAN SHOT 1930
Etching and drypoint. Signed and numbered 26 in pencil.Signed and dated in the plate 1930. Image 10 5/8 x 13 ½ inches, sheet 12 x 18 inc...
Category
1930s Impressionist Levon West Art
Materials
Etching
CHANGING FLIES
By Levon West
Located in Santa Monica, CA
LEVON WEST (1900 – 1968)
CHANGING FLIES c. 1930
Etching and drypoint, signed in pencil and no. 28. Image, 13 1/8 x 8 3/8 inches, sheet 17 1/4 x 11 5/8 full margins with deckle edge...
Category
1930s Impressionist Levon West Art
Materials
Etching
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Levon West art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Levon West art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Levon West in etching, drypoint, engraving and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Levon West art, so small editions measuring 9 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of David Rosenthal, Walter Tittle, and John Costigan. Levon West art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $380 and tops out at $2,200, while the average work can sell for $625.