Frank Stella Extracts, State I, 1993 is ninth and final installment in the artist’s Moby Dick Deckle Edges Series of 1993. This work derives its name from the sections in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick which are quotations from outside sources that mention whales and is a variation of the eighth print in this series titled Extracts. These “extracts” range from passages in the bible to popular literature. In this work, similarly to how the author references outside sources, Stella references previous installments in this series. The main subject matter of this work and its overall composition are nearly identical to the artist’s Extracts, but the entire work is surrounded by a greenish blue border. This collage of several printmaking techniques showcases Stella’s mastery over several mediums.

Frank Stella Extracts, State I, 1993 is part of a portfolio of eight works in the artist’s Moby Dick Deckle Edges series of 1993. This body of work derives its name from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and depicts dense compositions of bright colors and stunning abstract imagery. Also featured in this portfolio are The Whale-Watch, The Battering Ram, Monstrous Pictures of Whales, The Pequod Meets the Jeroboam. Her Story, Ambergris, The Monkey-rope, A Bower in the Arsacides, The Affidavit, and Extracts.

Created in 1993, this lithograph, etching, aquatint, relief and screenprint on white TGL handmade paper is hand-signed by Frank Stella (Massachusetts, 1936 - ) in pencil in the lower center image and numbered from the edition of 25 in pencil in the lower center image.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Frank Stella Extracts, State I, from the Moby Dick Deckle Edges Series, 1993 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Axsom, Richard. The Prints of Frank Stella: A Catalogue Raisonné 1967–1984. Hudson Hills Press: New York, 1983. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 222 on pg. 325.

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Frank Stella Extracts, State I, from the Moby Dick Deckle Edges Series, 1993 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.