Description
Benton Spruance– The Survivors –60s–Lithograph–AmericanModernism-Rare-Large Print
Benton Murdoch Spruance (1904–1967) was a leadingAmerican printmaker who specialized in lithography. In particular, he was apioneer of color lithography.
Born in Philadelphia, Spruance studied architecture atthe University of Pennsylvania. During this time, he taught himself fine artand later received a fellowship from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Artsto study in Europe. He learned lithography in Paris and began his successfulprintmaking career. Spruance later became a faculty member and chair of the ArtDepartment at Beaver College and chair of the Printmaking Department at thePhiladelphia College of Art. Throughout his career, he won numerous awards,including the Philadelphia Art Alliance Medal of Achievement. His prints areheld in major collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, theSmithsonian American Art Museum, the MoMA, the Tate, and the Whitney Museum ofAmerican Art. His approximately 450 prints are preserved in a memorialcollection at the Free Library of Philadelphia. For his achievements, Spruancewas named a member of the National Academy of Design and the American Instituteof Architects.
Spruance’s style evolved throughout his career. In the1920s and 1930s, his works mainly focused on urban scenes. His best-knownworks, including his record-selling piece Traffic Control , are from thisperiod. At this stage, Spruance depicted the lives of ordinary urban people,and his style leaned toward Expressionism and Social Realism. His works of the1920s and 1930s are mainly monochrome, full of tonal variation andmovement—often reminiscent of Thomas Hart Benton, though Benton focusedprimarily on regional and rural subjects. At the same time, many of Spruance’sworks from the 1930s evoke associations with Yasuo Kuniyoshi.
The World War II period significantly changed Spruance’sprintmaking approach. During this era, his works—including Father and Sons and The 30s – Windshield —became darker, more intense, andpsychologically charged.
Spruance became highly acclaimed for his innovative colorlithographs. His technique and visual language in this medium matured mainlyafter the war, when his works became more abstract and symbolic, and hissubjects shifted increasingly toward spiritual and religious themes. Thecurrent color lithograph, The Survivors (1963, Fine/Looney 461), belongsto this period. Compared to many of Spruance’s earlier works, this print,though representative of his mature late style, is quite rare on the artmarket.
The current impression is in overall good condition. Itbears Spruance’s pencil signature and date at the lower right. The margins andcorners show minor creasing and wear. The right margin has a small tear. Thewove paper has light, age-related toning. There are tape marks on the verso atthe top edge.
Details
- Medium: Color-lithograph on wove paper
- Year: 1963
- Dimensions:
- Paper: 30 × 22 in
- Image: 25.75 × 19 in
- Inscriptions:
- Lower right (pencil): Spruance, 63
- Condition Report: good – tape marks on top edge on verso; full margins; minor wear and handling marks on margin and corners; small tear on right margin; minor toning; unframed
Disclaimer:
I have conducted thorough research to ensure the accuracyand authenticity of this work to the best of my ability. However, it is sold asis, with no guarantees or warranties regarding its provenance or historicalattribution.
