ALBERT STERNER (1863-1946) American artist. Sternerís influence is seen in the works of both Rockwell Kent and George Bellows; he introduced each of them to the technique of lithography and put them in touch with the master printer/artist Bolton Brown. In 1915, Sterner rallied a group of printmakers together to raise the general quality of American prints. The founders of the Painter-Gravers of America included, along with Sterner, Childe Hassam, Bellows, & George Elmer Brown. He became a member of the National Academy, won a bronze medal at the Paris Exposition of 1900; gold medal at Munich in 1905, a bronze at Buffalo Exposition in 1901, and Carnegie Prize in 1941. He was President of Soc. of Illustrators, 1907-09.Offered here is an original drawing, unsigned, image approx. 18 x 13î plus margins. This is a working study drawing for his 1923 lithograph ìWilderness.î ìThis was one of Sternerís larger works [prints], also seems imbued with symbolism. It would be fair to interpret it as an experiment, using the theme of Adam and Eve. The scene is literally that of ëThe Fallí, as suggested by the abyss between the towering cliffs. Though Eve (?) is looking skyward, she is not, apparently, seeking help from the Lord; her gaze is directed toward the upper right to the Garden of Eden (?) from which she and Adam have been expelled. As Sterner said, he was fond of ësymbolic goings-on.í Here, vigorous crayon strokes and the radiant light on the femaleís body combine to produce a work of great strength.î Included with this drawing is a copy of the 1982 article written for the Print Review [Pratt Graphic Center] by Harry A. Broadd. The title of Broaddís article was ìAlbert Sterner: printmaker with Ideas.î The article is 14 pages long and includes an illustration and comments about Wilderness [see scan). Provenance: the Sterner summer home estate sale held 1980s in Mass. We purchased a majority of art works offered in this sale.

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