Adolf Dehn (1895 - 1968)
A preeminent American lithographer, Adolf Dehn was born in Waterville, Minnesota. He began his studies at the Minneapolis Art Institute and later at the Art Students League, New York City where he met both Boardman Robinson and George Miller. Robinson helped Dehn to publish his drawings in The Masses, while Miller, a master printer, helped his young apprentice master the art of lithography. From 1921 to 1929, Dehn lived in Europe, working in Berlin, Vienna, and Paris until he returned to America in 1930. He established a studio in New York and, for the next decade produced both satirical and landscape images. In 1941, he taught printmaking technique at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. In 1961, he became an Academician at the National Academy of Design. His work is held by many of the world's leading institutions. He died in New York City.
We Speak English
Lithograph, Chine-collé on Japan paper mounted to cream wove paper, 1927; trial proof outside stated edition of 30. Printed by Edmond Desjobert, Paris. Image size 10-7/8" x 14-3/8"; sheet size 13-5/8" x 18-7/8". A wry portrayal of the streetwalkers of Montmartre.
In 1927, Dehn was experimenting with lithographic techniques, and a singular breakthrough occurred when he effaced an unsatisfactory image from the stone, leaving a somewhat dark, uniform tone behind. As he recalled, "...I worked into it somewhat with a razor blade, scraping out to lighten and even to get whites, and then I used black crayon over this. I think I learned more in lithography from that stone than [from] anything I ever did." Though skeptical of a favorable result, Edmond Desjobert printed the stone and to everyone's delight the result was highly successful, and the technique became a mainstay of Dehn's work.
A group of thirty-four of Dehn's Paris lithographs, including We Speak English, was exhibited at the Weyhe Gallery in New York beginning on February 25, 1929 and received uniformly high acclaim from the critics. The exhibition is credited with marking his turning point from struggling to highly successful artist.
Annotated "Trial Proof", titled, signed and dated 1927 by the artist. On the reverse a pencil notation in the artist's hand "weyhe 2/6/29" suggests that this proof is likely to have been the impression displayed at the Weyhe exhibition. Fine overall condition. A closed tear previously mended with tape on the reverse side extends about 1" from the edge of the mount, well away from the image. Lumsdaine and O’Sullivan 47.
$900
Concierge
Lithograph on BFK Rives, 1928; edition of 50. Image size 10-1/2” x 13-5/8”; sheet size 14-3/4” x 22-1/8”. Artist’s proof, titled, signed, and dated in pencil by the Dehn in the lower margin. Published by Edmond Desjobert, Paris. from the portfolio “Paris Lithographs”. Lumsdaine and O’Sullivan 99. Fine
$750.00
Women of Montmartre
Lithograph on BFK Rives paper, 1928; edition of 50. Image size 14½” x 11-1/8”; from the portfolio Paris Lithographs, published by Edmond Desjobert, Paris. Artist’s proof, signed and dated in pencil by the artist in the lower margin. Fine overall condition. Lumsdaine & O’Sullivan 105.
$750
Farmyard
Lithograph on cream wove paper, 1934; edition not stated, but probably ca. 100. Image size 13” x 9-3/4”; sheet size 17½” x 12-3/4”. Printed by George Miller, New York. Signed and dated on the stone and titled and signed in pencil by the artist in the lower margin. Fine. Lumsdaine and O’Sullivan 284.
$275
Quiet Waters / Cranes at Night
Lithograph, 1942. Edition of 250, published by Associated American Artists, New York. Image size 13" x 8-7/8" with full margins, signed by the artist in lower RH corner. A fine impression with faint, uniform toning. Mounted and matted using archival materials. Lumsdaine and O’Sullivan 339
$275
Black Mountain
Lithograph, 1946. Edition of 250 published by Associated American Artists, New York. Image size 13" x 8-7/8" with full margins.Signed by the artist in lower RH corner. A fine impression, mounted and matted using archival materials. Lumsdaine and O’Sullivan 410.
SOLD
Market in Haiti
Lithograph, 1952; edition of 250. Image size 13-1/2” x 9-9/16”; sheet size 16-1/8” x 12”. Published by Associated American Artists, New York. Signed in pencil by the artist in the lower right corner of the margin. Fine. Lumsdaine and O’Sullivan 487.
$325
Fishing in Minnesota / Fishing Near Morristown / Summer Day
Lithograph, 1954; edition of 250. Image size 13-5/8” x 9½”; sheet size 15-7/16” x 11½”. Published by Associated American Artists, New York. Signed in pencil by the artist in the lower right-hand margin. Fine. Lumsdaine and O’Sullivan 501.
$300