Description
George Bellows-The Bacchanale-1910s War SeriesLithograph-Estate Signed
An original 1918 lithograph by major American artist GeorgeBellows (1882–1925), titled The Bacchanale, Second Stone, from his importantWar Series. It was penciled estate signed by the artist’s daughter Jean BellowsBooth (JBB).
George Bellows was one of the leading American artists ofthe early 20th century and a central figure associated with the Ashcan School.Celebrated for his vigorous depictions of urban life, boxing matches,landscapes, and contemporary social subjects, Bellows was also an importantAmerican lithographer. His lithograph practice started in 1916. The currentwork is one of his early works and was probably printed by his firstcollaborative printer George Miller (1894-1965).
The Bacchanale belongs to Bellows’ 1918 War Series. Theseries was strongly influenced by the Bryce Committee’s report on wartimeatrocities in Belgium and France published in the New York Times. At leastseven prints in the series, including Mason 58, were conceived in response toincidents described in the report. This impression is the first state of two,catalogued as Mason 58 i/ii. Mason recorded the edition as “possibly 50,” whileanother published source records 67 impressions of the first state. However, thepresent impression is numbered 68, suggesting there are more impressions ofthis print exist. Impressions of this first state are infrequently encounteredon the market. Examples of The Bacchanale are held by major museum collectionsincluding The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago.
The print is in good condition. The paper has minor handlingmarks. Lower right, lower left, and upper right corners have minor creases, severalink stains from the printing process are visible on margins, including twolarger ones on the left and lower right, Unframed. Please refer to the pictures forcondition.
Details: • Artist: George Bellows (1882–1925) • Title: The Bacchanale, Second Stone • Date: 1918 • Series: War Series • Medium: Lithograph • State: First state of two • Catalogue Reference: Mason 58 i/ii
• Inscriptions:
– Lower left margin, No. 68 (pencil)
– Lower right margin, Geo Bellows, J. B. B (pencil)
– Lowe right margin, BFT 1220 (pencil)
– Vesro, B 314-12 (pencil)
– Upper right in image: George Bellows (in plate)
• Edition: Mason records “possibly 50”; another published source records 67impressions of the first state; this impression is numbered 68 • Provenance:
– Bellows Family Trust, no. 1220
– Rachel Davis Fine Arts
• Dimensions:
– Paper: 31.5 x 24.75 in
– Image: 24.5 X 17.25
• Framing: Unframed • Condition: Good, minor handling marks, minor creases on corners, ink stainson margins, unframed. Please refer to the pictures for condition.
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.
