Editions Medicina Rara, Ltd., of New York commissioned Leonard Baskin’sArs Anatomica, a portfolio of thirteen prints made by lithographic transfer from pen & ink drawings.
Printed at The Curwen Press in London on paper specially-made by hand for the project by E. Towgood & Sons of Sawston, Cambridgeshire and bearing the private watermark of Medicina Rara.
Upon publication, this portfolio was described as the first anatomical portfolio by an artist of renown.
Baskin was distressed at the state of the art world when he made the plates which were published in this portfolio. He said, “The art of our time is an act of cowardice, a triumph of the trivial, a squandering of treasure.” In Baskin’s view, art was meant to be a means whereby “man must rediscover man, harried and brutalized, distended and eviscerated, but noble withal, rich in intention, puissant in creative spur, and enduring in the posture of love.”
These works reflect the best of anatomical illustrations, which though designed for learning and reference were treasured for their beauty, scholarly import, and artistic merit. As written in the colophon, “Some of these images seem even hundreds of years later to make a profound statement about man through the portrayal of his physicality.”
Plainly, these works by Baskin were unconcerned with scientific accuracy. Physiognomy has always played a central role in most of Baskin’s work. So, too, was Baskin always fascinated by medical illustration. This work, then, unites those loves, celebrating humankind’s creative spirit and the human spirit which prevails even when sometimes the body fails.
This work is unframed but professional framing is available at discounted cost with little delay. Please select from the framing options or contact us if you wish to discuss the framing of the work. We frame exclusively with conservation-grade materials and put the work behind 99% UV-filtering art glass or Plexiglass.
Medium:
Lithograph in black ink. Paper:
Printed on hand-made paper specially-made for this portfolio by E. Towgood & Sons of Sawston, Cabridgeshire and bearing the private watermark of Medicina Rara. Publisher:
Medicina Rara, Ltd. Printer:
The Curwen Press, London Date:
Plates made by Baskin in 1970 and prints published in 1972. Signature:
Signed and dated in the plate, en recto lower right. Edition:
The lithograph, unnumbered, is from Portfolio Number 841 out of the edition of 2500 aside from the 300 double suites. Framing:
Now unframed but price includes framing before delivery in walnut with 8-ply mat, using conservation-grade materials. Condition:
Excellent condition, without damage or flaw; impression bright, crisp, and clear. Framed Size:
26 in. (h) x 20 in. (w) Sheet Size:
22.5 in. (h) x 15.25 in. (w)
Ars Anatomica Portfolio Plate II
$1,475.00
Leonard Baskin (Northampton, Mass.)
Description
Editions Medicina Rara, Ltd., of New York commissioned Leonard Baskin’s Ars Anatomica, a portfolio of thirteen prints made by lithographic transfer from pen & ink drawings.
Printed at The Curwen Press in London on paper specially-made by hand for the project by E. Towgood & Sons of Sawston, Cambridgeshire and bearing the private watermark of Medicina Rara.
Upon publication, this portfolio was described as the first anatomical portfolio by an artist of renown.
Baskin was distressed at the state of the art world when he made the plates which were published in this portfolio. He said, “The art of our time is an act of cowardice, a triumph of the trivial, a squandering of treasure.” In Baskin’s view, art was meant to be a means whereby “man must rediscover man, harried and brutalized, distended and eviscerated, but noble withal, rich in intention, puissant in creative spur, and enduring in the posture of love.”
These works reflect the best of anatomical illustrations, which though designed for learning and reference were treasured for their beauty, scholarly import, and artistic merit. As written in the colophon, “Some of these images seem even hundreds of years later to make a profound statement about man through the portrayal of his physicality.”
Plainly, these works by Baskin were unconcerned with scientific accuracy. Physiognomy has always played a central role in most of Baskin’s work. So, too, was Baskin always fascinated by medical illustration. This work, then, unites those loves, celebrating humankind’s creative spirit and the human spirit which prevails even when sometimes the body fails.
This work is now unframed but the price includes the cost of museum-quality framing in walnut, 8-ply mat, and conservation-grade materials. If you wish not to have the work framed, please let us know.
This work is unframed but professional framing is available at discounted cost with little delay. Please select from the framing options or contact us if you wish to discuss the framing of the work. We frame exclusively with conservation-grade materials and put the work behind 99% UV-filtering art glass or Plexiglass.
Additional information
Modern Print-Makers
No Frame, Black-Stained Ash (Medium), Clear Natural Ash (Medium), Clear Natural Maple (Medium), Waxed Cherry (Medium), Waxed Mahogany (Medium), Waxed Walnut (Medium)
Details
Medium:
Lithograph in black ink.
Paper:
Printed on hand-made paper specially-made for this portfolio by E. Towgood & Sons of Sawston, Cabridgeshire and bearing the private watermark of Medicina Rara.
Publisher:
Medicina Rara, Ltd.
Printer:
The Curwen Press, London
Date:
Plates made by Baskin in 1970 and prints published in 1972.
Signature:
Signed and dated in the plate, en recto lower right.
Edition:
The lithograph, unnumbered, is from Portfolio Number 841 out of the edition of 2500 aside from the 300 double suites.
Framing:
Now unframed but price includes framing before delivery in walnut with 8-ply mat, using conservation-grade materials.
Condition:
Excellent condition, without damage or flaw; impression bright, crisp, and clear.
Framed Size:
26 in. (h) x 20 in. (w)
Sheet Size:
22.5 in. (h) x 15.25 in. (w)
Price & Purchase
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