Description
BUY WITH CONFIDENCE. GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC AND AS DESCRIBED OR YOUR MONEY BACK! Today we are excited to offer for sale a truly wonderful vintage 1965 Howard Besnia “Portrait of City of Boston” wood block carved art panel! Howard John Besnia (born Worcester, Massachusetts; died Sterling, Massachusetts 1921–2014) was an artist and educator whose career spanned over seven decades. Besnia produced works in many painting and drawing media, and was a prolific print maker and creator of hand made books. He received a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree from Yale University, and was a tenured faculty member and head of the Art Department of Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts. In 1943, Besnia entered active service in the U.S. Army, and served as a cartographer for the OSS until 1946. In 1944 he worked as the staff artist at the Stagedoor and penthouse USO clubs, producing over 200 caricatures and 400 pastel portraits. In 1946, he had a one-man show at The Arts Club of Washington D.C. Besnia later attended the Corcoran School of Art, and eventually moved back to Massachusetts. There, he enrolled at Clark University, which was affiliated with the Worcester Art Museum. He followed those studies at Yale University, where he received BFA (1949) and MFA (1950) degrees. This master wood block piece is masterfully crafted and executed. The art is expertly and intricately hand-carved on a large master wooden printing plate. The modernist abstract composition features low -relief carved stylized depictions of the Boston city famous landmarks and cityscape’s; when viewed from a distance one can see a set of eyes/face superimposed on the abstract semi-psychedelic composition. The main color of the carving is graphite black highlighted in white for depth and dimension. The piece is signed on the lower left corner with the artist’s logo and is also marked and label on the back. Wood panel presents beautifully and is in very good vintage condition, with minor wear and patina commensurate with age. There are a few minute edge chips/losses that do not detract from piece (panel can be frames and those small flaws would be hidden by frame). This is truly a wonderful and rare opportunity to acquire an iconic piece of fine New England art that will make a crowning addition to any well-curated modern art collection. This would make a great and unforgettable gift to any Bostonian…Fresh to the market! Dimensions: 48″ in height, 31-1/4″ in length, 3/4″ in depth NOTE: Shipping cost includes full insurance. We do not mark up shipping. ***This item is also available for LOCAL PICK-UP in Pawtucket, RI*** SHED2/17/K/R
