Frank Stella’s The Great Heidelburgh Tun (From The Waves Series), 1988 is an unprecedented depiction of a literary work. In Stella’s “Waves” series, he interprets the classic novel “Moby Dick” through his abstract and imaginative style.

In this work, gorgeous shades of blue mix and turn near the top. These colors slowly form the impression of waves and seafoam, a reminder of the novel’s nautical setting. Just below, geometric shapes and abstract lines intertwine wondrously. It is as if the entire image is in motion, a representation of the narrative complexities which shape Moby Dick. The cut out shapes seemingly depict the well-known drama, a quality which is accessible even to those who have never read Melville’s novel. Overall, the shapes take on a life of their own, granting themselves to the free visual interpretation of the viewer.

Created in 1988, this color screen print, lithograph and linocut with hand-coloring, marbling and collage is hand signed and dated by Frank Stella (Massachusetts,1936 - ) in pencil in the lower right and numbered from the edition of 60 in pencil in the lower right.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Frank Stella The Great Heidelburgh Tun (From The Waves Series), 1988, is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnès and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Axsom, Richard H. Frank Stella Prints: A Catalogue Raisonné. New York: Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation, 2016. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 186.

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

ABOUT THE FRAMING:

Framed to museum-grade conservation standards, Frank Stella The Great Heidelburgh Tun (From The Waves Series), 1988  is presented in a complementary moulding and optical-grade Plexiglas.