1 of 7

Reuben Nakian
Sepia Ink Drawing on Paper, Leda and the Swan
late 20th century

Name: Sepia Ink Drawing on Paper, Leda and the Swan
Brand: Reuben Nakian
Rating: 5 (10 reviews)

$600List Price

About the Item

This is a minimalist yet beautiful sepia ink on paper drawing of Leda and the Swan. Unframed. Signed lower right. Framing options available upon request. In his obituary, The NY Times called Reuben Nakian “one of the most distinguished American sculptors of the 20th century.” He was born to Armenian immigrants in Long Island in1897 and grew up in New York City and suburban New Jersey. At the age of 13, encouraged by his parents, he began to take drawing lessons and to model in clay. He studied briefly at the Art Students League and several other New York academies, but his primary early training came from an apprenticeship to the sculptor Paul Manship and his assistant, Gaston Lachaise. Manship was known for his classical, mythology based works (such as his large statue of Prometheus at Rockefeller Center) and may have sparked Nakian’s own sustained interest in mythological themes. Other influences on Nakian were Cezanne and Brancusi and, in the 1930s, fellow Armenain Achille Gorky, who introduced him to Willem de Kooning. According to the NY Times, “Mr. Nakian's discussions with these artists led him to reconsider his own work. For a while he turned away from sculpture to develop new ideas in drawings, pushing toward a freer style that could incorporate the new expressionistic mode coming into American painting while at the same time preserving the heroic themes of past tradition.” In the 1940s he rubbed shoulders with Marsden Hartley and Marcel Duchamp. His bust of Marcel Duchamp, displaying Nakian’s newfound energy and emotional expressionism, is today considered one of his masterpieces. After promising shows at the Whitney Studio Club (precursor to the Whitney Museum), MOMA, and a Guggenheim Fellowship in France and Italy, his career really began to take off in the 1950s. At that time, working figuratively, The NY Times writes that “Mr. Nakian saw himself as a legatee of ancient Mediterranean tradition. His subject matter was heroic, largely drawn from Greek and Roman mythology, particularly the aspects that dealt with the erotic exploits of the gods”, such as the story of Leda and the Swan. In 1951, a selection of 58 of his works represented the United States at the important Sao Paulo Bienal in Brazil, and despite being somewhat out of step with the new Pop Art and Minimalist trends, he was chosen in 1968 to represent the United States in the 34th Venice Biennale. During that period he was also awarded a series of important commissions including his bronze ''Voyage to Crete,’' that stands in the foyer of the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center; his only religious work, a 10-foot-high ''Descent From the Cross,'' bronze statue placed outside St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City; and''Hiroshima,'' a nine-foot-high bronze owned by the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). Another major monumental piece, ''Garden of the Gods I,'' is owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Major solo shows have included the 1966 MOMA retrospective of his work curated by noted poet Frank O’Hara and a retrospective organized by the Milwaukee Art Museum in 1985. Nakian was also the subject of a half-hour television documentary made by the Smithsonian Institution in 1984. How work is in the collections of the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, the Fogg Art Museum, the Honolulu Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, The Whitney, LACMA, MOMA, the Met, and the Guggenheim, among others. He died in 1986 in Stamford, CT.

Creator:
Reuben Nakian (1897-1986, American)
Creation Year:
late 20th century
Dimensions:
Height: 22.25 in (56.52 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)Depth: 0.013 in (0.32 mm)
Medium:
Paper,Ink
Movement Style:
American Modern
Period:
Late 20th Century
Framing:
Framing Options Available
Condition:
Very good. No defects to note.
Gallery Location:
Providence, RI
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU136427099042

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Donald Stacy
1950s "Lounge" Mid Century Figurative Ink Drawing NYC Artist, c. 1950s

$800

H 16.5 in W 14 in

1950s "Star Ear" Mid Century Figurative Drawing University of Paris

By Donald Stacy

Located in Arp, TX

Donald Stacy "Star Ear" c.1950s Ink on paper Black wood frame 9.75"x17.25 Signed lower right in pencil Came from artist estate This striking piece of art is an original drawing by r...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Donald Stacy
1950s "Star Ear" Mid Century Figurative Drawing University of Paris, c. 1950s

$900 Sale Price

25% Off

H 17.25 in W 9.75 in D 1 in

1950s "Star Shining" Mid Century Figurative Drawing University of Paris

By Donald Stacy

Located in Arp, TX

Donald Stacy "Star Shining" c. 1950s Ink on paper 14" x 16.5" unframed Unsigned Came from artist estate This ink drawing on paper entitled "Star Shining" was created by Donald Stacy...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Donald Stacy
1950s "Star Shining" Mid Century Figurative Drawing University of Paris, c. 1950s

$800

H 16.5 in W 14 in

1950s "Morning Robe" Mid Century Figurative Ink Original Drawing

By Donald Stacy

Located in Arp, TX

Donald Stacy "Morning Robe" March 1951 Ink on paper 14" x 16.5" unframed Signed and dated 1951 in pencil lower right Came from artist estate *Custom framing available for additional...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Donald Stacy
1950s "Morning Robe" Mid Century Figurative Ink Original Drawing, c. 1950s

$600 Sale Price

50% Off

H 16.5 in W 14 in

1950s "Topless" Mid Century Figurative Ink Line Drawing

By Donald Stacy

Located in Arp, TX

Donald Stacy "Topless" 1952 Ink on paper 14" x 16.5" unframed Signed in pencil lower right, dated 1952 in pencil lower left Came from artist estate *Custom framing available for addi...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Donald Stacy
1950s "Topless" Mid Century Figurative Ink Line Drawing, 1952

$800

H 16.5 in W 14 in

1950s "On Knees 2" Mid Century Figurative Ink University of Paris

By Donald Stacy

Located in Arp, TX

Donald Stacy "On Knees" c.1950s Ink on paper 8.5" x 11" unframed Unsigned Came from artist estate Donald Stacy (1925-2011) New Jersey Studied: Newark School of Fine Art The Art Students League Pratt Graphic Arts Center University of Paris 1953-54 University of Aix-en-Provence 1954-55 Faculty: Art Department of the New School Museum of Modern Art School of Visual Arts Stacy Studio Workshop Exhibitions: Grand Central Moderns George Wittenborn The New School Print Exhibitions, Chicago University of Oklahoma Honolulu Museum Monclair Museum Wisconsin State College Louisiana Art...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Donald Stacy
1950s "On Knees 2" Mid Century Figurative Ink University of Paris, c. 1950s

$500

H 8.5 in W 11 in

1950s "Mask" Mid Century Nude Ink Figure Drawing NYC Artist

By Donald Stacy

Located in Arp, TX

Donald Stacy "Mask" c.1950s Ink on paper Black dark wood frame 10.25"x17.25" Unsigned Came from artist estate Introducing an original piece by the American artist Donald Stacy title...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Donald Stacy
1950s "Mask" Mid Century Nude Ink Figure Drawing NYC Artist, c. 1950s

$900 Sale Price

25% Off

H 17.25 in W 10.25 in

"Pink Cheeks" American Modernist Robert Gilberg 1950 Ink and Pastel Nude Drawing

By Robert Gilberg

Located in Arp, TX

Robert Gilberg (1911-1970) "Pink Cheeks" c.1950s Ink and pastel on paper 12"x13.75" unframed Unsigned Good Condition - Wear consistent with age and history. Deep creases on upper le...

Category

1950s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Paper, Pastel

Robert Gilberg
"Pink Cheeks" American Modernist Robert Gilberg 1950 Ink and Pastel Nude Drawing, c. 1950s

$520 Sale Price

35% Off

H 13.75 in W 12 in

"18 Cornelia Street" George Morrison, Ojibwe Native Artist, Modernist Work

By George Morrison

Located in New York, NY

George Morrison 18 Cornelia Street, 1944 Signed and dated "May 1944" lower left Ink on paper 8 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches Provenance The artist Carl Ashby Estate of the above Private Collec...

Category

1940s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

George Morrison
"18 Cornelia Street" George Morrison, Ojibwe Native Artist, Modernist Work, 1944

$12,000

H 14.5 in W 11.5 in

Three Poses - Original Male Nude Figurative Drawing on Paper

Located in Soquel, CA

Three Poses - Original Male Nude Figurative Drawing on Paper Original male figurative drawing on paper depicting a nude male posing in three diff...

Category

20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

India Ink, Laid Paper

Three Poses - Original Male Nude Figurative Drawing on Paper, 20th Century

$550

H 22 in W 24 in D 1 in

More Ways To Browse

Reuben Nakian
Sepia Ink Drawing on Paper, Leda and the Swan
late 20th century

About the Item

You May Also Like

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy
1950s "Lounge" Mid Century Figurative Ink Drawing NYC Artist, c. 1950s

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy
1950s "Star Ear" Mid Century Figurative Drawing University of Paris, c. 1950s

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy
1950s "Star Shining" Mid Century Figurative Drawing University of Paris, c. 1950s

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy
1950s "Morning Robe" Mid Century Figurative Ink Original Drawing, c. 1950s

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy
1950s "Topless" Mid Century Figurative Ink Line Drawing, 1952

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy
1950s "On Knees 2" Mid Century Figurative Ink University of Paris, c. 1950s

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy
1950s "Mask" Mid Century Nude Ink Figure Drawing NYC Artist, c. 1950s

1950s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Robert Gilberg
"Pink Cheeks" American Modernist Robert Gilberg 1950 Ink and Pastel Nude Drawing, c. 1950s

1940s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

George Morrison
"18 Cornelia Street" George Morrison, Ojibwe Native Artist, Modernist Work, 1944

20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Three Poses - Original Male Nude Figurative Drawing on Paper, 20th Century

Recently Viewed

More Ways To Browse

Reuben NakianSepia Ink Drawing on Paper, Leda and the Swanlate 20th century

About the Item

You May Also Like

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy1950s "Lounge" Mid Century Figurative Ink Drawing NYC Artist, c. 1950s

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy1950s "Star Ear" Mid Century Figurative Drawing University of Paris, c. 1950s

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy1950s "Star Shining" Mid Century Figurative Drawing University of Paris, c. 1950s

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy1950s "Morning Robe" Mid Century Figurative Ink Original Drawing, c. 1950s

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy1950s "Topless" Mid Century Figurative Ink Line Drawing, 1952

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy1950s "On Knees 2" Mid Century Figurative Ink University of Paris, c. 1950s

Mid-20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Donald Stacy1950s "Mask" Mid Century Nude Ink Figure Drawing NYC Artist, c. 1950s

1950s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Robert Gilberg"Pink Cheeks" American Modernist Robert Gilberg 1950 Ink and Pastel Nude Drawing, c. 1950s

1940s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

George Morrison"18 Cornelia Street" George Morrison, Ojibwe Native Artist, Modernist Work, 1944

20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Three Poses - Original Male Nude Figurative Drawing on Paper, 20th Century

Recently Viewed

More Ways To Browse

Reuben Nakian
Sepia Ink Drawing on Paper, Leda and the Swan
late 20th century

Donald Stacy
1950s "Lounge" Mid Century Figurative Ink Drawing NYC Artist, c. 1950s

Donald Stacy
1950s "Star Ear" Mid Century Figurative Drawing University of Paris, c. 1950s

Donald Stacy
1950s "Star Shining" Mid Century Figurative Drawing University of Paris, c. 1950s

Donald Stacy
1950s "Morning Robe" Mid Century Figurative Ink Original Drawing, c. 1950s

Donald Stacy
1950s "Topless" Mid Century Figurative Ink Line Drawing, 1952

Donald Stacy
1950s "On Knees 2" Mid Century Figurative Ink University of Paris, c. 1950s

Donald Stacy
1950s "Mask" Mid Century Nude Ink Figure Drawing NYC Artist, c. 1950s

Robert Gilberg
"Pink Cheeks" American Modernist Robert Gilberg 1950 Ink and Pastel Nude Drawing, c. 1950s

George Morrison
"18 Cornelia Street" George Morrison, Ojibwe Native Artist, Modernist Work, 1944