The British Driven From Boston

The British Driven From Boston

Lewis, Arthur Allen

http://www.artoftheprint.com/artistpages/lewis_arthur_allen_swingingthegate.htm

10” x 13-3/4”

1432

Arthur Allen Lewis 'Allen Lewis': A distinguished early twentieth century painter, etcher, illustrator and most particularly wood engraver, Allen Lewis studied art under George Bridgman in Buffalo before completing his studies in Paris under Gerome. Lewis's art first came to national attention in 1904 when he was awarded the bronze medal at the St. Louis Exposition. During the following decades his reputation continued to grow through both his original wood engravings and in his illustrations for stories and poetry by Whitman and Balzac and in such well-known books as Journeys to Bagdad and Paul Bunyon. In his original wood engravings, Allen Lewis proved to be a leading master of colour printmaking techniques. Many of his individual prints, such as Swinging the Gate, take rural life as their main theme. Allen Lewis's brilliant use of colours (as seen here in this night scene) came to the attention of the eminent Joseph Pennell in 1924, and he appointed Allen Lewis head professor of wood engraving and colour printmaking at the prestigious New York Art Students' League. Allen Lewis was a full member of the Chicago Society of Etchers, the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the Print Maker's Society of California and the National Academy of Design. Examples of his original wood engravings are included in the collections of the Chicago Art Institute, the Metropolitan Museum, New York, and in the British Museum, London. The American Artists Group of New York was one of the most interesting experiments of the Depression era. Founded in 1934, its aim was to produce original prints (the large majority being either lithographs or woodcuts) at prices that could be afforded during these difficult economic times. By 1938 this publisher had issued well over one hundred prints by such great artists as Emil Ganso, Arthur Allen Lewis, Warren Newcombe, Benton Spruance, Leo Meissner and Julius Lankes. Most were published in unsigned, unlimited editions at the price of $2.75 each. Alas, this small price was still out of the reach of most and A.A.G. editions rarely exceeded three hundred impressions and many were printed in editions of less than one hundred.

WSPAC

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