Ed Ruscha (American, born 1937), Main Street, 1990, Lithograph

Ed Ruscha (American, b. 1937) is a major figure in postwar Los Angeles art, known for combining words, ordinary objects, commercial graphics, and atmospheric space. After moving to Los Angeles in 1956, he studied at the Chouinard Art Institute and initially trained for a career in commercial art. Typography became central to his paintings and prints; Ruscha has described seeing type as pictures and being especially drawn to powerful monosyllabic words. His work helped define West Coast Pop art during the 1960s while anticipating later developments in Conceptual art.

Main Street, 1990, lithograph in black on gray Rives BFK wove paper by Ed Ruscha, from the Harvey Gantt Portfolio. The words “MAIN STREET” are arranged in two monumental lines of serif lettering. Printed by Carmen Schilaci and Maia Terzian and published by Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles, the work is recorded as Gemini no. ER90-1244 and Engberg catalogue raisonné no. 203. Main Street was produced for the Harvey Gantt Portfolio and was Ruscha’s first benefit print for Gantt’s 1990 U.S. Senate campaign; the edition consisted of 250 impressions, with additional artist’s proofs. This impression is numbered 79/250 in graphite at lower left and signed and dated “Ed Ruscha ’90” at lower right, with Gemini G.E.L. copyright and publisher blindstamps; the verso bears the gray “published by Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles” stamp and workshop notation “ER90-1244.” Sheet measures approximately 8.5 x 10.25 inches. The sheet shows light toning and minor handling; image presents well. Provenance of Martin and Enid Gleich.

Condition
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Dimensions
8.5 x 10.25 in