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Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

American, 1904-1967
A pioneer in color lithography, Benton Spruance spent most of his life in Philadelphia, where he attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and became one of the city’s leading artists. In the twenties and thirties Spruance was known for prints that one critic described as his ​“velvety urban scenes and ​‘social conscious’ series,” which chronicled the life of ordinary men and women at work and play. However, Spruance was also a painter and draftsman who during this period took advantage of two Guggenheim fellowships to travel throughout the United States and Europe and sketch landscapes. In the forties Spruance began producing moody, psychologically charged lithographic portraits of women, followed by mystically tinged work, based on biblical passages, that became increasingly subtle and sculptural in effect. Despite the demand for his work (he produced more than 500 lithographs during his career), Spruance continued to teach. At the time of his death, he was chairman of the art department at Beaver College and had recently retired from the chairmanship of the printmaking department at Philadelphia College of Art.
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Artist: Benton Murdoch Spruance
SUBWAY SHIFT - THE SECOND FRONT

SUBWAY SHIFT - THE SECOND FRONT

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Portland, ME

Spruance, Benton (American 1904-1967). SUBWAY SHIFT - THE SECOND FRONT. Fine and Looney 223. Lithograph, 1943. Fine and Looney cite two editions, one of 35 and one of 30, this being ...

Category

1940s Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

Slack Rope Artist
Slack Rope Artist

Slack Rope Artist

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Benton Spruance, 'Slack Rope Artist', lithograph, 1930, edition 30, Fine and Looney 35. Signed and titled in pencil. Numbered '2' in the bottom right margin. A fine impression, with ...

Category

1930s American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

“Judith”
“Judith”

“Judith”

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Southampton, NY

Strong and vibrant color lithograph by the American artist, Benton Murdoch Spruance. Edition size in pencil lower left margin 7/40. Titled in pencil middle margin and signed in penc...

Category

1950s Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Lithograph

'Nero' — Mid-Century American Modernism
'Nero' — Mid-Century American Modernism

'Nero' — Mid-Century American Modernism

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Benton Spruance, 'Nero', 2-color lithograph, edition 35, 1944, Fine and Looney 233. Signed, dated, titled and annotated 'Ed 35' in pencil. Initialed 'BS' in the image, lower right. A...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

'Set Pieces: Vanity of Trust' — Mid-Century American Modernism
'Set Pieces: Vanity of Trust' — Mid-Century American Modernism

'Set Pieces: Vanity of Trust' — Mid-Century American Modernism

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

'Set Pieces: Vanity of Trust', color lithograph, 1949, edition 40, Fine and Looney 279. Signed, titled, dated and numbered '23/40' in pencil. A fine, impression with fresh colors, on...

Category

1940s American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

'From the Sea' — Mid-Century American Modernism

'From the Sea' — Mid-Century American Modernism

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Benton Spruance, 'From the Sea' also 'From the Sea — Pieta', lithograph, editions 30, 35, 1943. A superb, richly inked impression, on off-white wove paper; the full sheet, with decke...

Category

1940s American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

“Salome and John”
“Salome and John”

“Salome and John”

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Southampton, NY

Strong and vibrant color lithograph by the American artist Benton Murdoch Spruance. Edition size in pencil lower left margin Titled in pencil middle margin and signed in pencil lower...

Category

1950s Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Lithograph

Original Lithograph - Football Subject
Original Lithograph - Football Subject

Original Lithograph - Football Subject

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Original lithograph created 1935 by Pennsylvania artist - Benton Spruance. Titled “Pass Coming Up.” The edition size is small - just 30. The image measures 10 x 14 inches and the pri...

Category

Mid-20th Century Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

'A Wind Is Rising and the Rivers Flow'  — Mid-Century American Modernism
'A Wind Is Rising and the Rivers Flow'  — Mid-Century American Modernism

'A Wind Is Rising and the Rivers Flow' — Mid-Century American Modernism

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Benton Spruance, 'A Wind is Rising and the Rivers Flow', color lithograph, 1945, edition 40, Fine and Looney 242. Signed, dated, and titled, and annotated 'Ed 40' in pencil. A fine ...

Category

1940s American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

'Broken Carousel' — Mid-Century American Symbolism

'Broken Carousel' — Mid-Century American Symbolism

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

'Broken Carousel', color lithograph, 1950, edition 35, Fine and Looney 285. Signed, titled, and numbered '18/35' in pencil. Initialed in the stone, lower right. A fine, richly-inked ...

Category

1950s American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

'I'll Be What I Choose'  — Mid-century American Surrealism
'I'll Be What I Choose'  — Mid-century American Surrealism

'I'll Be What I Choose' — Mid-century American Surrealism

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

'I'll Be What I Choose: Vanity of Ambition', color lithograph, 1949, edition 40, Fine and Looney 281. Signed, titled, and numbered '23/40' in pencil. Initialed in the stone, lower ri...

Category

1940s American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

'Eyes for the Night' — Mid-century American Surrealism
'Eyes for the Night' — Mid-century American Surrealism

'Eyes for the Night' — Mid-century American Surrealism

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Benton Spruance, 'Eyes for the Night', lithograph, 1947, edition 35, Fine and Looney 260. Signed, dated, titled, and annotated 'Ed 35' in pencil. A fine impression, on heavy, cream ...

Category

1940s American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

'Girl and Cat' — 1930s American Modernism
'Girl and Cat' — 1930s American Modernism

'Girl and Cat' — 1930s American Modernism

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

'Girl and Cat', lithograph, 1935, edition 33, Fine and Looney 121. Signed, titled, dated, and numbered '5/33' in pencil. A superb, richly-inked impression...

Category

1930s American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

Cat and Busybody

Cat and Busybody

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Middletown, NY

A 1933 lithograph on cream wove paper 14 x 18 inches (354 x 452mm), full margins. Signed, titled, and numbered 17/33 in pencil, lower margin. Minor mat tone around the perimeter of t...

Category

1930s American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

'Havoc in Heaven' — Mid-Century Modernism
'Havoc in Heaven' — Mid-Century Modernism

'Havoc in Heaven' — Mid-Century Modernism

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Benton Spruance, 'Havoc in Heaven', lithograph, 1948, edition 30-35, Fine and Looney 270. Signed, titled, and numbered 'Ed 35' in pencil. Initialed in the stone, lower right. A fine,...

Category

1940s American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

'Girl with Hands to Face' — Mid-century Modernism
'Girl with Hands to Face' — Mid-century Modernism

'Girl with Hands to Face' — Mid-century Modernism

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Benton Spruance, 'Girl with Hands to Face', two-color lithograph, 1940, edition 30, Fine and Looney 180. Signed, titled, and annotated 'Ed. 30' in pencil. A superb impression, on cr...

Category

1940s American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

'Eyes for the Night' — Mid-Century American Surrealism
'Eyes for the Night' — Mid-Century American Surrealism

'Eyes for the Night' — Mid-Century American Surrealism

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Benton Spruance, 'Eyes for the Night', color lithograph, 1948, edition 35, Fine and Looney 261. Signed, dated, and titled, and annotated 'Ed 35' in pencil. A fine impression with fresh colors, on cream wove paper; the full sheet with margins (1 to 1 3/8 inches), in excellent condition. Printed by master lithographer Theodore Cuno. Archivally matted to museum standards, unframed. Image size 19 x 13 inches; sheet size 21 1/8 x 15 1/4 inches. Selected by the artist for his retrospective exhibition 'Benton Spruance: Lithographs...

Category

1940s American Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph

“When I Laid the Earth’s Foundations”
“When I Laid the Earth’s Foundations”

“When I Laid the Earth’s Foundations”

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Southampton, NY

Strong and vibrant color lithograph by the American artist, Benton Murdoch Spruance. Edition of 30 penciled left bottom margin. Titled in pencil middle margin and signed in pencil lo...

Category

1950s Modern Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Archival Paper, Lithograph

Out of the City

Out of the City

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Wilton Manors, FL

Benton Murdoch Spruance (1904-1967). Out of the City, 1930 (FL #33) Ed. 28. Lithograph on wove paper, plate measures 9.75 x 12.25 inches. Signed in pencil lower right. Titled and numbered 27/28 lower left. Sheet is not glued. Biography: Birth place: Philadelphia, PA Death place: Phila. Addresses: Germantown, PA; Phila. Profession: Lithographer, painter, educator Studied: Univ. Penn. School FA; PAFA with D. Garber (Cresson traveling scholarship); G. Harding; R. Nuse; A. Lhote in Paris. Exhibited: many nat. print exhs., 1929-65; Phila. Pr. Club,1929 (prize), 1932 (prize), 1929 (prize), 1941, 1953, 1956; WC Ann., 1937 (prize); WMAA, 1933-45; AIC, 1937-38, 1941; PAFA Ann., 1939-53 (gold medal 1946); Corcoran Gal. biennial, 1941; Laguna Beach AA, 1943, 1944; Audubon Artists, 1947; LOC, 1948; Boston Printmakers, 1949; Phila. Art All., 1951; NAD, 1953, 1957, 1959; Am. Color Pr. Soc., 1954, 1960, 1961; SAGA, 1955, 1962; Calif. Etchers, 1959; Bay PM, 1959; Joslyn Mus. Art , 1954 (retrospective); Mt. Holyoke, 1954 (retrospective); Swarthmore, 1954 (retrospective); Woodmere Art Gal., Phila., 1960; Phila. Sketch Club, 1965 ( Medal for Distinguished Service to Art); Phila. Art All., 1965 (Medal of Achievement). Solos in numerous colleges, universities, galleries & museums nationally, 1954-65. Other awards & medals: Pennell medal, 1937; Eyre medal, 1939; Beck medal, 1946; Guggenheim Fellowship, 1950, 1963; hon. D.F.A., Phila. College of Art, 1962; PAFA Fellowship, 1964 Member: NA; SAGA; Phila. Pr. Club; Phila. Art All.; Am. Artists Congress. Work: MoMA; WMAA; CI; LOC; NGA; PMA; SAM; PAFA; NYPL; AGA. Murals, Municipal Court Bldg., Phila.; Philadelphia House...

Category

1920s Art Deco Benton Murdoch Spruance Art

Materials

Lithograph, Paper

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Previously Available Items
'Girl with Mask'  — Mid-century Modernism
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'Girl with Mask' — Mid-century Modernism

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'Girl with Mask', color lithograph, 1950, edition 30, Fine and Looney 291. Signed, titled, and annotated 'Ed 30' in pencil. Initialed in the stone, lower right. With the printer’s ...

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Strong and vibrant color lithograph by the American artist Benton Murdoch Spruance. Edition size in pencil lower left margin. Titled in pencil middle margin and signed in pencil lowe...

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'Design for America No. 2' — 1930s Modernism

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Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

'Design for America No. 2', lithograph, 1935, edition 40, Fine and Looney 118. Signed, titled, dated, and numbered '9/40' in pencil. A superb, richly-inked impression, on off-white w...

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The People Work, Morning - Noon - Evening - Night. [set of four].
The People Work, Morning - Noon - Evening - Night. [set of four].

The People Work, Morning - Noon - Evening - Night. [set of four].

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in New York, NY

The People Work [set of four]. This is a very rare matching number set and one of Spruance's most desirable works. Each print is signed, titled, and inscribed "35/40." This set i...

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SONAMBULIST

SONAMBULIST

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Portland, ME

Spruance, Benton. SONAMBULIST. F&L272. Lithograph in four colors, 1948. Edition of 40, inscribed "Ed.40," titled, and signed in pencil (F&L says this is an edition of 30, which is li...

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Dream of Love

Dream of Love

By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Myrtle Beach, SC

Benton Spruance, 'Dream of Love', lithograph, 1947, edition 30-35, Fine and Looney 252. Signed, titled, dated and annotated 'Ed 30' in pencil. A fine, r...

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(Go down!)

(Go down!)

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Located in Fairlawn, OH

Signed, titled and dated in pencil Edition: A few proofs, very rare Printed by Spruance (?) Note: This is one of four etchings Spruance made of the game of polo. All images are ...

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EYES FOR THE NIGHT

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Located in Santa Monica, CA

BENTON SPRUANCE (1904 – 1967) EYES FOR THE NIGHT 1947 (Fine and Looney 260) Lithograph, printed by Cuno. Edition 30. 18 7/8” x 12 7/8”. Some soiling, ...

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Middle Germantown

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By Benton Murdoch Spruance

Located in Wiscasset, ME

Born in Philadelphia in 1904, painter and master printmaker Benton Murdoch Spruance studied architecture at the University of Pennsylvania and painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of...

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American Pattern-Barn.
American Pattern-Barn.

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Located in New York, NY

"American Pattern - Barn" is a two-color lithograph created in 1940. This piece is signed and titled in pencil and inscribed "Ed. 45" [edition 45.] The printed image size is 7 9/16...

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Benton Murdoch Spruance art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Benton Murdoch Spruance art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Benton Murdoch Spruance in lithograph, paper, archival paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Benton Murdoch Spruance art, so small editions measuring 10 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Thomas Hart Benton, Adolf Dehn, and David Klein. Benton Murdoch Spruance art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $895 and tops out at $14,000, while the average work can sell for $1,400.

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