Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011). Tout-à-coup, 1987. Etching, aquatint, and drypoint in colors on Magnani paper. 87-3/4 x...

Description

Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011)
Tout-à-coup, 1987
Etching, aquatint, and drypoint in colors on Magnani paper
87-3/4 x 41-5/8 inches (222.9 x 105.7 cm) (sheet)
Ed. 8/46 (aside from 8 artist's proofs)
Signed, editioned, and dated in pencil along lower edge; publisher's chop marks lower left
Published by 2RC Edizioni d'Arte, Rome
Printed by Raffaele d'Orsogna and the Vigna Antoniniana Stamperia, Rome

Renowned for her "soak-stain" abstract paintings, Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) played a pivotal role in Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting. A key figure in 20th-century American art, her six-decade career solidified her as one of the most influential artists of her time. Frankenthaler's artistic education began at the Dalton School in New York, where she studied under the renowned artist Rufino Tamayo. She then attended Bennington College (class of 1949), where she was mentored by Paul Feeley and later studied with Hans Hofmann.
Tout-à-Coup is a major achievement in overscale color etching, showcasing Frankenthaler's sophisticated aquatint techniques. The print was produced in close collaboration with 2RC Edizioni d'Arte, a master printer and publisher, with Frankenthaler actively involved in the process. She brought a deep understanding of chemistry and technique to her print projects, working alongside the world's top printers. This striking example of her poured and brushed abstraction reveals her unique iconography and stands as a testament to her mastery in the medium.


More information about Helen Frankenthaler. See also: Frankenthaler, Helen, Motherwell, Mrs. Robert Burns Artist.

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