Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) stands as one of the most important artists of the 20th century. She is renowned for her .
However, it is important to emphasize that Nevelson toiled and experimented for nearly 30 years before arriving at her signature style, and overdue success, in the late 1950s.
After Nevelson divorced in 1931, she was finally liberated to devote herself to art-making. She studied at the Art Students League in New York and made several influential trips to Europe where she began studying with Hans Hoffmann. Back in New York, she worked briefly for Diego Rivera and the Works Progress Administration, where she met Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and befriended other "downtown" New York artists.
While Nevelson had a long exhibition history, it was only in the 1950s that she got a foothold in significant galleries. For most of Nevelson's adult life, selling art was a struggle.
This exhibition poster from her show at the famed Sidney Janis Gallery showcases a close crop of one of Nevelson's iconic wood sculptures underneath black, white, and gold typeface in the spirit of her signature palette.
This historic exhibition poster from 1963 recalls Nevelson's first (and only) exhibition at Sidney Janis Gallery. While it's hard to imagine now, the show was completely unsuccessful and left Nevelson in debt, struggling to cover the gallery's advance and resulting in a painful legal dispute.
Shortly after, Nevelson would form an enduring and very lucrative relationship with Pace gallery, whom to this day still represents the artist's estate.
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"Sidney Janis Gallery Exhibition Poster"
USA, 1963
Offset lithograph
Signed and dated in ink by the artist with the note:
"With good wishes happy new year"
27.5""H 20""W (work)
Very good condition
Detailed condition report by request
Note: slight residue from old tape remains in the bottom right corner.
