Lot 6
Fritz William Scholder (American - Mission/Luiseno, 1937-2005). "Mask of the Artist" embossed etching, edition 24 of 120, n.d. Signed on lower right. Numbered on lower left. A powerful embossed etching by the legendary Fritz Scholder, depicting a striking visage that reads as a skull and crossbones, rendered with a raised surface in black and purple against a dark grey background. A mesmerizing embossed etching that conveys a deliciously macabre theme, "Mask of the Artist" is among Scholder's visual commentaries on mortality and isolation, exuding an air of mystery, like the artist himself. Size (plate mark): 21.25" L x 16" W (54 cm x 40.6 cm) Size (sheet): 30" L x 22.25" W (76.2 cm x 56.5 cm)
Scholder lived with skulls and skeletons in his Scottsdale, Arizona adobe home, intentionally placing them in his garden, his library, and his porch - and much of his oeuvre featured homages to these bony beings like this composition. Of course, Scholder is also admired for his powerful depictions of Native Americans that depart from stereotypes. Interestingly, although Scholder was enrolled as a member of the Luiseno tribe, he oftentimes claimed that he was not actually Indian. Nevertheless, his art demonstrated a refreshing rejection of sentimental, romantic portrayals of indigenous peoples. In his words, "I have painted the Indian real, not red." He based his imagery on actual historical research. For example, Scholder revealed that his painting of a Native American wrapped in an American flag, an image that has become iconic, was based on "19th-century prison photographs of Indians dressed in surplus flags in lieu of their confiscated tribal regalia."
In addition to the meaningful political messages of this art, Scholder's style, with its kinetic brushwork and vibrant colors, have truly set him apart. Various art historians have described Scholder's style as a fusion of Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism. Scholder, however, referred to himself an "American expressionist" who celebrated paint and what it can do. In his words, "Paint drips, it smears. It's not because I'm trying to fool anyone into thinking this is a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface ..." and his embossed etching technique achieved a similar expressionist quality in a different medium.
Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010
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#173228
- Condition: Signed in pencil on lower right. Numbered in pencil on lower left. Embossed etching has not been examined outside shrink wrap but appears to be in excellent condition save very minor crease marks in margins. There is an Altermann Galleries label on the verso.
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