Frank Stella "Sinjerli Variation" Lithograph 1981

Frank Stella "Sinjerli Variation" Lithograph 1981
Frank Stella (American, b. 1936). Lithograph and screenprint on paper titled "Sinjerli Variation Squared with Colored Ground 1A, " depicting the artist's signature geometric protractor composition with a painterly quality on a mustard yellow ground. The geometric circle is comprised of interlocking shapes in a rainbow of colors. Executed in 1981, this work is number six of ten artist's proofs along with a further edition of 61. Pencil signed, numbered, and dated along the lower left.

Provenance: Private Connecticut Collection, 1988; Private Minnesota Collection.

Reference: Richard H. Axsom, "Frank Stella Prints: A Catalogue Raisonne, " New York 2016, cat. no. 130, pp. 217-218, illustrated in color.

Lot Essay:
By the age of 25, Stella was already being recognized for his talents, being included in "Three Young Americans" at the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College as well as "Sixteen Americans" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York all before 1960. By 1961 he had moved on from illusionistic space to flat and often irregular shapes, which would become his artistic signature. His works became increasingly minimalistic during this time, though he would extend into three-dimensional space in the 1970s and 80s, which he would self-describe as maximalist.

The "Sinjerli" series was based on a painting done during his "Protractor Series" executed between 1967-71. Sinjerli was an ancient Anatolian city that reached its zenith in the 14th century BCE. The fortified citadel was surrounded by a nearly perfect double-walled circle, whose symmetry and geometry inspired the "Sinjerli Variation" series. With each subsequent work, he introduced a subtle new variation, experimenting with unique color combinations and mediums.

In addition to numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the world, his works are held in the collections of prestigious institutions such as the Hirshhorn Museum, the Whitney, the Toledo Museum of Art, LACMA, the Guggenheim, MoMA, and many others. In 2009, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama.
Sight; height: 31 3/4 in x width: 31 3/4 in. Framed; height: 39 1/2 in x width: 39 1/2 in.
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