1967 Leonard Maurer Abstract Op Art Ink Drawing

Description

Distinctive original work by well listed, highly sought American artist. Ink on illustrator board. Circa 1967. Hand signed/dated to lower … more Distinctive original work by well listed, highly sought American artist. Ink on illustrator board. Circa 1967. Hand signed/dated to lower right. Unframed.

Leonard Maurer (b.1912, Newark, NJ; d. 1976, Washington, DC) spent his early years in letters: working as a newspaper copy boy, bookstore clerk, and publisher's association sales rep. During World War II, Maurer served in the infantry as a cartographer. He first began sketching/painting while fighting in North Ireland, France, and Germany, ultimately receiving the Bronze Star, and Purple Heart for his service.

In 1948 he enrolled in art classes full time at American University, where he studied with Robert Gates, William Calfee, Sarah Baker, Jack Tworkov, and Karl Knaths. After graduating in 1952, he joined the art faculty at Mt. Vernon Seminary, and was appointed chairman of the department and director of children's education for the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

One of the original I0 artists of the Jefferson Place Gallery, he had a solo exhibition in 1958, and was included in several of the group exhibitions. When his contract ended in 1959, he left the gallery, and continued exhibiting with Franz Bader Gallery. During his time in Washington, he was frequently represented in exhibitions at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, including Area Annual exhibition between 1947-64, and in every Corcoran Biennial between 195I-6I, as well as solo exhibitions in 1953 and 1962.

His work, "Night Signs," which was featured on the cover of the November 1951 Corcoran Gallery of Art Bulletin, was eventually purchased by Duncan Phillips. In 1979, the Phillips Collection, Franz Bader Gallery, and the Watkins Gallery at American University held simultaneous exhibitions celebrating his career in DC.

In the years since, Maurer’s extensive body of work has widely exhibited across the United States, including being chosen to hang in The White House. Numerous Leonard Maurer pieces are registered in notable collections including The Phillips Collection and The Smithsonian American Art Museum. less