Boris Artzybasheff

Dramatically composed and meticulously rendered, 'The Last Trumpet', is a depiction of the archangel Gabriel sent to warn the modern world (symbolized by the skyscraper) of its coming destruction. Created in 1937, it was a timely evocation of the fate which was to engulf much of the developed world during World War II. Wood engraving, 1937, edition 200. Signed, and titled in pencil. A brilliant black impression, on cream Japan, with full margins (1 5/8 inches); original glue stains in the top left and right sheet corners, where attached to the presentation folder, verso (showing slightly recto, but well away from the image), otherwise in excellent condition. Complete in the original Woodcut Society presentation folder; the folder in pristine condition. 1937 Presentation Print, Twelfth Publication of the Woodcut Society. ‘The combination of technical excellence, poetic imagination, and the uniquely personal which has made Artzybasheff one of the best known and most admired of American illustrators is characteristically evident in this strongly conceived and strongly executed print. –Carl Carmer, The Woodcut Society. Exhibited: Pressed In Time: American Prints 1905-1950, The Huntington Library and Art Gallery, San Marino, 2007-2008. Reproduced: 'American Prints in the Library of Congress: A Catalog of the Collection', John Hopkins Press, 1970; and 'James Swann: In Quest of a Printmaker', Czestochowski, 1990; 'Pressed In Time: American Prints 1905-1950', Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery, San Marino, 2007. Collections: Art Gallery of NSW, Auckland Art Gallery, Brooklyn Museum, Dallas Museum of Art, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Hood Museum (Dartmouth), Library of Congress (Pennell Fund purchase), National Galery of Art, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design Museum, Terra Foundation for American Art, Yale University Art Gallery. ABOUT THE ARTIST Boris Artzybasheff...

Dramatically composed and intricately rendered, 'The Last Trumpet', is a depiction of the archangel Gabriel sent to warn the modern world (symbolized by the skyscraper) of its coming destruction. Created in 1937, it was a timely evocation of the fate which was to engulf much of the developed world during World War II. Wood engraving, edition 200. Signed, titled and numbered 68/200 in pencil. A brilliant black impression, on cream Japan, with full margins (1 5/8 inches); very slight glue staining in the top left and right sheet corners, verso, otherwise in excellent condition. 1937 Presentation Print, Twelfth Publication of the Woodcut Society. ‘The combination of technical excellence, poetic imagination, and the uniquely personal which has made Artzybasheff one of the best known and most admired of American illustrators is characteristically evident in this strongly conceived and strongly executed print. –Carl Carmer, The Woodcut Society. Exhibited: Pressed In Time: American Prints 1905-1950, The Huntington Library and Art Gallery, San Marino, 2007-2008. Reproduced: 'American Prints in the Library of Congress: A Catalog of the Collection', John Hopkins Press, 1970; and 'James Swann: In Quest of a Printmaker', Czestochowski, 1990; 'Pressed In Time: American Prints 1905-1950', Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery, San Marino, 2007. Collections: Art Gallery of NSW, Auckland Art Gallery, Brooklyn Museum, Library of Congress (Pennell Fund purchase), Yale University Art Gallery. Boris Artzybasheff...