Larry Rivers 1974 Mid Century Modern Lithograph Print Hirshhorn Exhibition Pop Art Poster

Description

This Larry Rivers rare vintage 1974 Mid Century Modern lithograph print iconic Hirshhorn Museum opening exhibition Pop Art poster is … more This Larry Rivers rare vintage 1974 Mid Century Modern lithograph print iconic Hirshhorn Museum opening exhibition Pop Art poster is an incredibly special and unique piece to add to your collection.

The lithograph print poster is published by The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution Washington, D.C., printed in 1974 at Styria in an unnumbered limited edition on the occasion of the opening exhibition of the museum. It features an artwork image specially created by Larry Rivers for this exhibition poster.

Larry Rivers ( 1923 - 2002 ) was an American born artist, musician, filmmaker and occasional actor of a Jewish background. Rivers is considered by many scholars to be the " Godfather " and " Grandfather " of Pop Art, because he was one of the first artists to truly merge non objective, non narrative art with narrative and objective Abstraction. He was a Pop artist of The New York School, reproducing everyday objects of popular culture as art. During the 1960's he lived at The Chelsea Hotel, notable for its many artistic residents. In 1965 Rivers had his first comprehensive retrospective exhibition in five important American museums.

In the late 1930's, Congress started plans to establish a national museum of Contemporary Art to compliment The National gallery of Art. Due to lingering effects of The Great Depression, it wasn't until 1966 that The Smithsonian revived the concept with the widely admired art collection of philanthropist Joseph H. Hirshhorn. In 1974 The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden opened to wide acclaim.

In the beginning the focus centered on the collection itself, since then it has expanded to include a significant stellar collection, with a particular emphasis on late 20th Century and Contemporary Art. Staging large exhibitions for internationally renowned artists, and instituting educational and technological initiatives that have cemented The Hirshhorn's place among the world's most forward thinking art institutions by sharing the transformative power of Modern and Contemporary Art with the widest possible audiences. Today, it acts as a leading voice for groundbreaking artists whose works challenge not only the political and cultural landscape, but also the very practice of art making itself.

Styria Studio, the fine art printmaking studio in New York where this exhibition poster was printed in 1974, were venerable master fine art printers who worked with the famous artists of the Mid Century Modern, Pop Art, and Abstract Expressionist movements including Robert Rauschenberg, Larry Rivers, Roy Lichtenstein, Will Barnet, Alex Katz, and Jasper Johns among many others to create the highest quality limited edition fine art prints.

The rare out of print Mid Century Modern lithograph print Pop Art exhibition poster measures 23" W X 30 1/2" H. It is printed on smooth finish paper stock with vibrant ink colors in a matte finish.

It is in excellent vintage condition consistent with age, light signs of handling and wear. it has never been framed. There is some light visible surface and edge wear, and a small tear on the lower right outer edge that has repaired from the reverse back side with transparent archival tape. Please see photos for condition reference. It is now being offered here for an excellent price. less