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Birney LettickThe Fatal Gift, Artist Drawing1970
1970
$6,000
£4,561.28
€5,324.52
CA$8,424.41
A$9,557.67
CHF 5,004.73
MX$117,916.10
NOK 62,057.59
SEK 59,377.21
DKK 39,715.89
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About the Item
A superb tromp-l’oeil work done by a beloved American Illustrator. This also came from the artist's wife and was a painting that had been kept by the family. The title of this work refers to Lettick’s “fatal gift” – his skill and aptitude as an artist which he cannot flee from. The mannequin depicted here most likely represents the artist, who in turn is drawing a renaissance style sketch - on a piece of paper - on a wooden board. The highlights and shadows create a 3-D illusion while the wrinkles on the paper and dents in the wooden board are impeccable. The showmanship in this very difficult rendering displays the artists prodigious expertise as a draftsman. The sheer precision and difficulty to accomplish this composition displays complete focus and attention to detail.
The frame is called an Italian Scraffito frame and it is of nice quality and has some age. The painting is ready to hang and is a work that draws attention and is good value.
This painting was used for the cover of Lettick’s catalog during his trip to Japan. The Fatal Gift was so important to the artist, Lettick used it as the cover illustration in the catalog: VISION: Special Issue Birney Lettick, 1986. Later, the artist had the image copyrighted. We know there are two variations of this work and have established that the version we hold is the same as the one used in the catalog.
Signed: Lettick lower right
Unframed canvas: 28 1/4 x 20 inches
Provenance: Artist to widow of the artist until 2004.
Private collection, NY acquired from the above 2004 to present
- Creator:Birney Lettick (1919 - 1986, American)
- Creation Year:1970
- Dimensions:Height: 33.75 in (85.73 cm)Width: 25.75 in (65.41 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Condition is nice and ready to hang. Frame is not new so condition is age appropriate. No issues.
- Gallery Location:Greenwich, CT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1413216482282
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