Whites and Shadows by Luigi Lucioni

This etching by Luigi Lucioni depicts one of his favorite subjects--Birch trees. Lucioni is arguably the best tree etcher in the United States in the 20th century (although contemporaries Walter Locke and Ernest Haskell might argue--you can check out pieces by them in the shop and come to your own conclusion). Of all the trees though, birches were his favorite. He came back to these throughout his career. They show off his mastery of chiaroscuro (light and dark) and the medium of etching. This etching is from 1949 and is titled Whites and Shadows (the label on the back is incorrect). It was issued by the Associated American Artists in 1949. This is likely in the original frame and was not examined outside the frame. The etching appears to be in excellent condition, although the framing materials are not archival. The original label is still present. An outstanding example of his work and favorite subject.

Artist Bio: Luigi Lucioni (1900-1988) was born in Malnate, Italy. He came to the United States in 1911. From that time until his death in 1988, he divided his time between New York and Vermont. In 1916, he began studying at Cooper Union with William Starkweather and in 1920 with Willam Auerbach Levy at the National Academy of Design. After finishing school, Lucioni taught at the Art Students League and lived in Union City, New Jersey.
His paintings of Vermont and his portraits have taken the most important prizes in contemporary American art. In 1924, Lucioni won the Tiffany Foundation Fellowship. At the Carnegie International Exhibition in 1939, he received their Popular Prize. In 1941, he achieved another great success. The visitors at the Corcoran biennial in Washington, D.C., voted Lucioni’s portrait of John LaFarge the best painting in the exhibition.
His works are owned in countless museums, including: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Seattle Museum of Art, Kansas City Museum of Art, Denver Museum of Art, Fogg Museum, Addison Fallery of American Art, Dayton Art Institute, Pennsylvanian Academy of Fine Arts, High Museum in Atlanta, Nebraska State Capitol, Library of Congress, Dartmouth college, Hamilton College, Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Carnegie Institute and many other public and private collections.
As much as his paintings are valued, Lucioni is one of the great American etchers. His ability to create dramatic contrasts of light and shadow are extraordinary. His two most famous series of etchings are his Birch series and Steeples of Vermont (barns and silos). They are landmarks of American art.

Size: 1949
Price: $325
Framed Size: 80 x 15
Plate Size: 12 x 8
Condition: Very Good
Medium: Etching
Subject: Landscape

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