Biography: “Seymour Rosofsky [1924-1981] is one of the key figures in twentieth century Chicago art. Emerging in the late 1940s as part of the movement later dubbed the “Monster Roster,” alongside Leon Golub, Nancy Spero, June Leaf, and Dominick Di Meo, he initially painted grotesque, existentially angst-ridden figures, perfect little monsters. By the early 1960s, Rosofsky had begun to develop a singularly fantastical style rooted in observational painting, creating unflinching masterworks like “Unemployment Agency” (which has hung in Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office) and “Homage to Spain, Thalydomide Children, Others” (in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago). Rosofsky’s brilliance as a painter is widely recognized, but he was also a spectacular draughtsman with a particular interest in drawing as both a process and a medium.” (from the Corbett vs Dempsey website)
Website: None
Date Acquired: December 6, 2023
Location Acquired: Potter & Potter Auctions, Contemporary Outsider, Folk, and Fine Art, December 6, 2023
Provenance: Tamarind Institute, then Artist’s World Gallery and then through auction (Tamarind webpage: https://econtent.unm.edu/digital/collection/tamarind/id/5649/rec/10)
Type: Lithograph, number from the Edition of 20, 9 TI (JG), BAT, AP, TP, 2 PTP (1 MI, 1 JG), CP (JG)
Size:64.8 x 48.3 cm
Description: This is a 1968 lithograph from the Tamarind Institute, University of New Mexico. Printed by Collaborating/Edition Printer Robert Rogers, it is black ink on white Nacre paper. The image is of a man holding a shield and possibly wearing a pith helmet. The figure is surrounded by what appear to be flowers or mushrooms.
Personal Connection: None. Seymour Rosofsky is an artist I’m intrigued by. Some of his work I really enjoy and some I really don’t. For some reason, some of his work does not do well at auction, which is surprising but to my benefit.
Other Rosofsky pieces in the collection:
- Seymour Rosofsky, Stage Set, Undated
- Seymour Rosofsky, Man on a Theatre Stage, 1965
- Seymour Rosofsky, Untitled (Woman with Shield), 1968
- Seymour Rosofsky, Figure Coming Through the Window, 1976
- Seymour Rosofsky, Boxer, Undated
For a full list of the Chicago area Artists in the collection, by decade, please head over to the Chicago Area Artwork in the Collection page.
Art Hoard 
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