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HANS HOFMANN Composition in Blue.

HANS HOFMANN
Composition in Blue.

Color screenprint, 1952. 433x360 mm; 17 1/8x14 1/4 inches, full margins. Signed in ink and numbered 67/120 in pencil, lower margin. Published by Esther Gentle, New York. Pale time and mat stain. A superb impression of this extremely scarce, early print with strong colors.

According to Williams, Hofmann was pursuaded to make this print by Esther Gentle (later Mrs. Abraham Rattner), his student at the time, who was starting to publish screenprints reproducing well-known artists' paintings, (Reba and Dave Williams, American Screenprints, New York, 1987, p. 32). Unlike other screenprints by Abstract Expressionist artists, Hofmann's is an original work which does not reproduce a painting.

An unusual feature of Composition in Blue is that the blue background varies; the artist authorized different color mixtures and strengths for the printing of this particular screen (Williams, p. 32).

The last comparable impression in this quality (other significantly damaged impressions have appeared since) sold at Swann, November 9, 2000, sale 1877, lot 626. Another impression, printed on illustration board, sold at Swann, October 31, 2008, sale 2160, lot 344.

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March 5, 2009 10:30 AM EST
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