First time at auction…

Fritz William Scholder (American - Mission/Luiseno, 1937-2005). "Face #2" color etching and lithograph, n.d. Edition 6 of 45. Hand signed and numbered in pencil on lower right. A striking composition by the legendary Fritz Scholder depicting a visage with features hidden by strands of black hair save one ear lobe and the tip of the person's chin. Scholder's "Face" series is limited in number and presents with an intriguing mysterious quality. Size of image: 17.75" W x 23.5" H (45.1 cm x 59.7 cm) Size of paper: 24.75" W x 31.75" H (62.9 cm x 80.6 cm)

Fritz Scholder is best known for his powerful depictions of Native Americans that depart from stereotypes. Interestingly, although Scholder was enrolled as a member of the Luiseno tribe, he oftentimes claimed that he was not actually Indian. Nevertheless, his art demonstrated a refreshing rejection of sentimental, romantic portrayals of indigenous peoples. In his words, "I have painted the Indian real, not red." He based his imagery on actual historical research. For example, Scholder revealed that his painting of a Native American wrapped in an American flag, an image that has become iconic, was based on "19th-century prison photographs of Indians dressed in surplus flags in lieu of their confiscated tribal regalia." In addition to the meaningful political messages of this art, Scholder's style, with its kinetic brushwork and vibrant colors, have truly set him apart. Various art historians have described Scholder's style as a fusion of Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism. Scholder, however, referred to himself an "American expressionist" who celebrated paint and what it can do. In his words, "Paint drips, it smears. It's not because I'm trying to fool anyone into thinking this is a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface ..."

Fritz Scholder's "Face #2" (1984) may be found in the permanent collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art - accession number 2002.204.2.

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#175934

Lithograph is in overall excellent condition save minor creases/minute tears to peripheries that do not impact the central imagery. Hand signed with number and title in pencil below image.