I-S LXXb (Homage to the Square), 1970; Serigraph on German etching paper; Titled and numbered 56/125 in pencil lower left; Signed and dated '70 in pencil lower right; Published by Ives-Sillman, Inc., New Haven; Blind stamped with publisher's mark lower right; Image size - 21 x 21", Frame 21 1/4 x 21 1/4"; Framed using a silver metal frame and UV conservation clear glass.
"Every perception of color is an illusion, we do not see colors as they really are. In our perception they alter on another." - Joseph Albers
Josef Albers (1888-1976) was a German born artist and educator and the first living artist to be given a solo show at both the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, NY. He taught at the Bauhaus, Black Mountain College, and was the head of the Yale University's Department of Design. Josef Albers was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and was primarily recognized for with exploration of color.
In 1949, Josef Albers wrote the definitive text on color theory, "Interaction of Color," and soon began work on a series of colored squares and rectangles that was to dominate his work. The series which would be called "Homage to the Square" explored the idea of color as an illusion and dependent upon context. "We do not see colours as they really are, in our perception they alter one another," he wrote. Although he began his color experiments with paint, he was to move onto the flat printing process, particularly the screen-print. The technique was perfectly suited for his needs because of the consistent application of the color, as well as the ease of use and speed in which combinations could be achieved.
I-S LXXb (Homage to the Square), 1970 is from a series of prints that were published by by Ives-Sillman, Inc., New Haven. The prints were designated 'I-S" to represent Ives Sillman and were part of an open-ended series that were lettered 'a', 'b', 'c', etc. Both of the I-S LXXa and I-S LXXb were published on the occasion of Albers 80th birthday and were the first pairs of prints which were created to commemorate his birthday from 1970-1973. The others were LXXIa and b, LXXIIa and b, and LXXIIIa and b.
I-S LXXb (Homage to the Square), 1970 is an excellent example of Josef Albers at his best! The work is composed of three concentric off set squares in varying light values of yellow, all set on the white ground of a sheet of German etching paper. I perfect example of Josef Albers at his best, and a wonderful addition to any modern art collection.