Franco Rognoni Art

This artwork titled "Double Faces" c.1975 is an original color etching with aquatint on wove paper by American surrealist artist Michael Bowen, 1937-2009. It is hand signed with initials in pencil by the artist. The plate mark (image) size is 21.75 x 17.5 inches, sheet size is 29.25 x 20.75 inches. It is in excellent condition, has never been framed. About the subject: Nowhere is the intertwining of metaphysical, biographic and social narratives more evident than in the Café Life series painted in the 1980’s. Though the “series” was done in the 80’s, the pieces really revive the spirit of the Beat café scene, which began in the mid-1950’s and which was so instrumental to the particular spiritual and social vibe of the counter culture. And his Café Life observations continue over his artist life with scenes, such as the ones here, from Los Angles, Bolinas, Mexico and Italy. About the artist: Michael Bowen (December 8, 1937 – March 7, 2009) was an American fine artist known as one of the co-founders of the late 20th and 21st century Visionary art movements. His works include paintings on canvas and paper, 92 intaglio etchings based on Jungian psychology, assemblage, bronze sculpture, collage, and handmade art books. An icon of the American Beat Generation and the 1960s counterculture, Bowen is also known for his role in inspiring and organizing the first Human Be-In in San Francisco. Chronicled in books and periodicals reflecting on the turbulent 1960s, Bowen's historical impact on both the literary and visual art worlds is well documented. He remains influential among avant-garde art circles around the world. He started his art career at age 17, when he joined the American installation artist Ed Kienholz in his Los Angeles studio. There he met and joined with other influential Beat Generation artists including Wallace Berman, John Altoon, and Dennis Hopper. Bowen participated in the construction of the Ferus Gallery and Now Gallery created by Ed Kienholz and curated by Walter Hopps. Bowen attended the Chouinard Art Institute for several years during his formative artistic experiences in Los Angeles. In the late 50s and early 60s, Bowen continued his spiritual training and research. He investigated and practiced a variety of occult topics, Eastern philosophies, and mysticism, and his artwork reflected these themes. Bowen is often referred to as a mystic artist. As a lifelong student of the Bhagavad-Gita, Bowen's entire career has emulated the spiritual warrior archetype of Arjuna, fighting for the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution. Michael Bowen moved to San Francisco in the late 1950s, and along with fellow artist comrades Arthur Monroe...

Fritz Eichenberg, 'The Pimp', wood engraving, 1980, artist's proof before the edition. Signed in pencil. Signed in the block, lower right. A fine, richly-inked impression, on cream wove paper, with full margins (2 3/16 to 3 1/2 inches), in excellent condition. Archivally sleeved, unmatted. Image size 12 x 9 3/4 inches (305 x 248 mm); sheet size 18 x 14 inches (457 x 356 mm). ABOUT THE ARTIST Fritz Eichenberg (1901–1990) was a German-American illustrator and arts educator who worked primarily in wood engraving. His best-known works were concerned with religion, social justice, and nonviolence. Eichenberg was born to a Jewish family in Cologne, Germany, where the destruction of World War I helped to shape his anti-war sentiments. He worked as a printer's apprentice and studied at the Municipal School of Applied Arts in Cologne and the Academy of Graphic Arts in Leipzig, where he studied under Hugo Steiner-Prag. In 1923 he moved to Berlin to begin his career as an artist, producing illustrations for books and newspapers. In his newspaper and magazine work, Eichenberg was politically outspoken and sometimes wrote and illustrated his reporting. In 1933, the rise of Adolf Hitler drove Eichenberg, who was a public critic of the Nazis, to emigrate with his wife and children to the United States. He settled in New York City, where he lived most of his life. He worked in the WPA Federal Arts Project and was a member of the Society of American Graphic Artists. In his prolific career as a book illustrator, Eichenberg portrayed many forms of literature but specialized in works with elements of extreme spiritual and emotional conflict, fantasy, or social satire. Over his long career, Eichenberg was commissioned to illustrate more than 100 classics by publishers in the United States and abroad, including works by renowned authors Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Charlotte and Emily Brontë, Poe, Swift, and Grimmelshausen. He also wrote and illustrated books of folklore and children's stories. Eichenberg was a long-time contributor to the progressive magazine The Nation, his illustrations appearing between 1930 and 1980. Eichenberg’s work has been featured by such esteemed publishers as The Heritage Club, Random House, Book of the Month Club, The Limited Editions Club, Kingsport Press, Aquarius Press, and Doubleday. Raised in a non-religious family, Eichenberg had been attracted to Taoism as a child. Following his wife's unexpected death in 1937, he turned briefly to Zen Buddhist meditation, then joined the Religious Society of Friends in 1940. Though he remained a Quaker until his death, Eichenberg was also associated with Catholic charity work through his friendship with Dorothy Day...

Raoul DUFY The Hunt, c. 1910 Original woodcut Signed with the stamp of the artist's studio Numbered on /220 Titled in the board 50.5 x 65.4 cm (c. 19.6 x 25.5 inch) Excellent condi...

A magnificent forest scene with lush, vast foliage along a brook by a master of the Dutch Golden Age. Amsterdam: c1650. Etching on cream laid paper, 5 1/8 x 5 3/4 inches (130 x 147 ...

A 1928 woodcut on paper of a self-portrait of notable Chicago Modernist artist, Emil Armin. Artwork size: 10 1/2" x 8". Archivally matted to: 12 1/2" x 14 1/2. Signed, titled and numbered in pencil. Edition 7/30. Emil Armin was born in Radautz, Austria in 1883. By the age of 10, Armin was orphaned and was raised by his older siblings. He supported himself by working in restaurants and drew in his spare time. In 1905, at the age of 21, Armin immigrated to Chicago. He began studying at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1907, but financial difficulties forced him to start and stop a number of times, finally graduating in 1920. He studied with George Bellows and Randall Davey. Armin was an integral part of Chicago’s 57th Street Art Colony and exhibited in both the more avant-garde Chicago No-Jury Society Shows, as well as the more formal and conventional Chicago Society of Artists Exhibitions, the Chicago Renaissance Society and Art Institute of Chicago (1922-1949) exhibitions. He taught at Hull House...

Le Chapeau Epingle or La fille de Berthe Morisot et sa Cousine (1e planche) Etching with drypoint, 1904 Signed in the plate (see photo) This is the first etched version of "Pinning the Hat" Depicts Julie Manet and her cousin Jeanne. Exceptional impression printed with burr and selective inking with plate tone. Very rare. Published in 1910 in the first edition of Druet, "Manet annd the French Impressionists" A lifetime impression, printed prior to 1912. The etching comes with the original Herman Wunderlich & Co. (Kennedy Galleries label), which dates this impression to 1912 when Wunderlich changes names to Kennedy Galleries. Very rare image in an early lifetime impression. Printed with plate tone With pencil inscription stating first printing in French (see photo) Condition: very good No issue as seen from the front Soft horizontal creases visible from reverse Provenance: Kennedy Galleries, NY Reference: Stella 4, prior to Druet edition Delteil 4, published state Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a famous French painter whose paintings are some of the most popular, well-recognized, and frequently reproduced images in the history of art. His work presents a vision of a forgotten world, full of sparkling color and light. He once said: “Why shouldn’t art be pretty? There are enough unpleasant things in the world.” Born at Limoges on February 25, 1841, Renoir died at Cagnes-sur-Mer on December 17, 1919. When he was 13, Renoir entered a Paris porcelain painter’s workshop as an apprentice and developed a fine brush technique and facility with color. At 21, he attended courses at the École des Beaux-Arts and subsequently at Glyre’s. He made friends with Cezanne, Pissarro, Sisley, Monet, Bazille, and Diaz. In 1873, the artists Durand Ruel, Caillebotte, and Duret took an interest in his work. Renoir was involved in “The Society of Painters, Engravers and Sculptors,” which was founded in 1874, and witnessed the birth of Impressionism. From there, Renoir was immersed and able to spend time with his fellow artists of the day. He did not take up original printmaking until he was 50 years old, first with two small soft-ground etchings after his painting, “The Rustic Ball,” followed by an etching of Venus for the frontispiece of Mallarme’s Pages. Most of his engravings were done after his own pictures. In 1892, he did his first lithograph – a portrait of his son Pierre. In 1894, he met Ambroise Vollard, who played an important part in the production of Renoir’s and Cezanne’s lithographs...

This artwork "Clown Assis, from Cirque de l'Etoile Filante" 1932, is a wood engraving by French artist Georges Rouault 1871-1958 (Block engraved by Georges Aubert) It is signed in t...

This artwork titled "Vienna Opera House" c.1930 is a colors etching on wove paper by noted Austrian artist Luigi Kasimir, 1881-1962. It is hand signed in pencil by the artist at the...

This artwork from the suite "La Passion" 1932, published 1939 is a wood engraving by French artist Georges Rouault, 1871-1958. (Block engraved by Georges Aubert) It is signed and dat...

This artwork "Christ, from La Passion" 1939, is a wood engraving by French artist Georges Rouault, 1871-1958. (Block engraved by Georges Aubert) It is signed in the block as issue. ...

This artwork titled "Nymphenberg Palace, Munich, Germany" c.1950, is a color etching on wove paper by noted Austrian artist Luigi Kasimir, 1881-1962. It is hand signed and numbered ...

An original mid century modern woodblock print. This work is hand signed illegibly and titled "Wedding Party".