Bilder Arthur Wesley Dow (1857-1922) – Modern Art – Lithograph (1897)

Beskrivning

A distinctive and influential American Art Nouveau poster advertising the Boston-based periodical Modern Art, which was edited by J. M. Bowles and published by L. Prang & Co. The image features a stylized landscape centered in a yellow panel: a winding river reflects a sunset sky of gold and orange, framed by dark green hills and a prominent tree. This central motif is enclosed within a green border decorated with flat, highly stylized poppy seed-heads. The composition is notable for its emphasis on flat planes of color, bold lines, and decorative structure, which directly reflects Dow’s revolutionary design theory drawn from Japanese woodblock prints. The bold lettering of "MODERN ART" contrasts sharply with the soft landscape. This print is a reduced-format reproduction (Plate 36) from the prestigious French monthly portfolio Les Maîtres de l’Affiche (The Masters of the Poster), highlighting its significance in the international poster movement.

Arthur Wesley Dow was a foundational American artist and educator, profoundly influential in the Arts and Crafts movement and a key figure in transitioning American art toward modernism. Having studied in Paris, Dow radically shifted his philosophy after encountering Japanese woodblock prints, becoming convinced that composition (the organization of line, color, and mass) should supersede the traditional Western emphasis on imitation of nature. His book, Composition: A Series of Exercises in Art Structure (1899), disseminated these ideas widely, influencing a generation of artists including Georgia O'Keeffe.

Artist or Maker: Arthur Wesley Dow (1857-1922) 

Dimensions: Approximately 30 × 22 cm 

Medium: Lithograph 

Date: 1897

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.