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 Gross,
Chaim : 1904- 1991 b. Austria-Hungary (Galicia)/d. America
The Artist:
American artist: sculptor, draughtsman, painter and printmaker.
During WWI he and a brother excaped a Russian invasion and wandered through
central Europe, where Gross developed his artistic talents. He studied
in Budapest and Vienna, and later after settling in New York USA in 1921,
at the Educational Alliance Art School, the Arts Students League
and the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design in New York.
Chiam Gross produced a large number of works in assorted
media both three dimensional work such as sculptures in stone and bornze,
and two dimensional work such as pen and ink drawings, watercolor paintings,
and limited edition prints. The first works he exhibited were sculptures
carved from lignum vitae. In 1932 Mr. Gross exhibited first one-man show
which was comprised of sculpture and watercolors. In 1977 The Jewish Museum
in New York honored Gross with a Chaim Gross Retrospective Exhibit.
There he exhibited bronze sculpture, wood carvings, paintings, drawings,
and original limited edition prints. He won major sculpture prizes and
commisions, and his work is represented in many museums including: Metropolitan
Museum of Art, New York; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; Hirshhorn
Museum and Sculpture Garden of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington
DC; Jewish Museum in New York City; Brooklyn Museum of Art, New York;
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia; Baltimore Museum of Fine
Art; Art Institute of Chicago; Bezalel National Art Museum Israel; Tel-Aviv
Museum of Art, Israel.
Chaim Gross was first noted for suclptural achievements
such as works in wood i.e., Two Sisters (1956; New York, Mr. and
Ms. Lewis Garlick private collection. See: 1977 exhibition catalogue.,
p.4) It was later that he became a scholar and a master painter and printmaker.
Much of his subject matter was derived from popular art forms, including
the circus, Jewish traditions and holidays, which he recalled from his
early years in the Austrian Countryside. In later works such as Happy
Children No. 1 (1968:New York, Forum Gallery) he created sand-cast
in bronze from maquettes modeled in plaster. Hs work adopted the look
of light and airy forms. His themes were of love, marriage and motherhood.
His style of lyrical rhythmic whimsy is carried into his 1980 work, watercolors
and limited edition lithographs feataured on this page,The Song
of Songs.
The Art:
An original water color suite, painted by Chiam Gross, entitled
The Song of Songs, was commissioned by the Print Club of New York,
for a limited edition lithograph folio. The water colors are comprised
of nine images and are titled the same as the limited edition lithographs,
The Song of Songs. The limited edition lithographs,
published in 1980 by the Print Club, consist of four separate named editions
distributed as: Sponsor's Edition numbered "I/XX" though "XX/XX";
Collector's or Members Edition numbered "1/200" through "200/200";
The Artist's Edition of fifteen sets numbered "I/XV" Artist's
Proof through "XXV/XV" , and the Publisher's Edition of fiften
sets marked "hors commerce". All editions are printed on Arches
paper mould-made in France by Arjomari Prioux, except for the Sponsor's
Editioin which is printed on Kozo Kyokushi paper handmade in Japan by
Kazuo Ike. The images in the suites were inspired by the biblical text
of King Solomon's famed love poems. The lyrical and rhythmic forms characteristic
of Gross's style is beautifuly expressed in the art.
The Song of Songs Collector/Member edition
lithographs is displayed below. Each sheet in the folio was pulled from
hand-drawn plates and printed in Paris under Chaim Gross's supervision.
Each of the nine works that comprise this folio has been signed by the
artist, in pencil, and the plates have been canceled. Each work including
margins measures 20 7/8" x 17" (52.58 cm x43.18 cm). Each image
measures approximately 17 1/2 " x 14". The set is complete.
Provenance:
This art has been in the possession of the original purchaser,
an American collector, since since it's purchase in 1981. The folio/suite,
# 24/200, is registered by the Board of Advisors of The Judaic Heritage
Society of New York to that collector. The Certificate of Authenticity
now in the possession of the American collector, will accompany the suite
when it is purchased. All art is in excellent condition except for 3 images
which have water damage. Close-up photographic examination, is available
on request to serious buyers. Original frames and glass, are available
without charge.
Pricing:
Recognizing that some of the pieces in this suite have water
damage, as noted below, we offer the sale of these pieces individually
as single works, and also at a price savings when purchaced in sets of
two. The cost of works purchased in pairs will save the buyer $100.00
per pair. Further, collectors who would like to have the entire suite
of 9 images can purchase the suite for a cost of $1,818.00.
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Gross01
Chaim Gross: Song of Songs, The Song of
songs, which is Solomon's (I:1). Members Edition. 24/200. The
paper size is 20 7/8" x 17" (53.35 cm x 43.34cm), with
full margins. The lithograph is one in the complete folio of nine
images and the suite has had only one original owner, an American
Collector, who purchased the folio in 1981 directly from The Judaic
Heritage Society, New York. The work is signed and numbered in pencil,
by the artist. The work represents the best of Chaim Gross's art
and master printmaking. Detail is exquisite. Condition is of this
lithograph is poor. There is water damage with ink bleeding on the
top 1/3 of the paper, including image and margin. Paper restoration
is recommended. Closer photograph examination of the full image
and margins is available to a serious buyer. This work is available
with its original frame and glass, without charge.Close-Up.
Individually: $100.
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Gross02
Chaim Gross: Song of Songs - I am the Rose of Sharon,
and the Lily of the Valleys (11:1-2) , Color Lithograph. Member
Edition. 24/200. The paper size is 20 7/8" x 17". with
full margins. The lithograph is one in the complete folio of nine
images and the suite has has had only one original owner, an American
Collector, who purchased the folio in 1981 directly from The Judaic
Heritage Society, New York. The work is signed and numbered in pencil,
by the artist. The work represents the best of Chaim Gross's art
and master printmaking. Detail is exquisite. Condition is of this
lithograph is very good, except for a limited area of the paper
which was exposed to water and needs repair and cleaning. The damage
is restricted to the bottom 1/10th of the paper at the paper left
side edge and margin; 1/2" high and 2"long. When framed,
this area is not visable. Up close photographic examination of the
full image and margins is available to a serious buyer. During the
creation of the art two droplets of ink fell on the image under
the artist's pencil numbers 24/200. The image surface is excellent.
This work is available with its original frame and glass, at no
extra charge.Close-Up.
Top
Close. Bottom
Close.
Individually: $250.
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Gross03
Chaim Gross: Song of Songs - King Solomon made
himself a chariot;..., the midst thereof being paved with love (III:9-19),
Color Lithograph. Member Edition. 24/200. The paper size is 20 7/8"
x 17". with full margins. The lithograph is one in the complete
folio of nine images and the suite has has had only one original
owner, an American Collector, who purchased the folio in 1981 directly
from The Judaic Heritage Society, New York. The work is signed and
numbered in pencil, by the artist. The work represents the best
of Chaim Gross's art and master printmaking. Detail is exquisite.
Condition is excellent except for 1/8" high x 1" long
water damage at the bottom right edge of the paper. When framed,
this area is not visible. Up close photographic examination of the
full image and margins is available to a serious buyer. There is
no damage leaking into the margin and there are no imperfections
or damage to the image. The image surface is excellent. This work
is available with its original frame and glass, at no extra charge.
Close-Up.
Closer
Individually: $250
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Gross04
Chaim Gross: Song of Songs - I come into my garden,
my sister,my spouse (V:1), Member Edition. 24/200. Color Lithograph.
The paper size is 20 7/8" x 17". with full margins. The
lithograph is one in the complete folio of nine images and the suite
has has had only one original owner, an American Collector, who
purchased the folio in 1981 directly from The Judaic Heritage Society,
New York. The work is signed and numbered in pencil, by the artist.
The work represents the best of Chaim Gross's art and master printmaking.
Detail is exquisite. Condition of this lithogaph is excellent. This
work is available with its original frame and glass, without charge.
Close-Up.
Closer
Individually $350.
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Gross05
Chaim Gross: Song of Songs - Return, return O Shulamite;...that
we may look upon thee (VI:13), Member Edition. 24/200. Color
Lithograph. The paper size is 20 7/8" x 17". with full
margins. The lithograph is one in the complete folio of nine images
and the suite has has had only one original owner, an American Collector,
who purchased the folio in 1981 directly from The Judaic Heritage
Society, New York. The work is signed and numbered in pencil, by
the artist. The work represents the best of Chaim Gross's art and
master printmaking. Detail is exquisite. Condition is poor. The
work was exposed to water and needs cleaning. Damage is at the bottom
1/5th of the page at the margin and 1" to 1/2" into the
image. The depth of the damage within the image area varies from
2"-down to 1". The depth of bleeding ink at the margin
of the art is 4" carried from the left edge of the paper across
to the other side. Closer photographic examination of the ink bleed
is available to a serious buyer. Framing mat board will cover some
of the water/ink bleed. However, paper restoration is recommended.
This work is available with its original frame and glass, without
charge .Close-Up.
Closer
Individually: $100.
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Gross06
Chaim Gross: Song of Songs - Many waters cannot
quench love, neither can the floods drown it (VIII:7), Member
Edition. Color Lithograph. 24/200. The paper size is 20 7/8"
x 17". with full margins. The lithograph is one in the complete
folio of nine images and the suite has has had only one original
owner, an American Collector, who purchased the folio in 1981 directly
from The Judaic Heritage Society, New York. The work is signed and
numbered in pencil, by the artist. The work represents the best
of Chaim Gross's art and master printmaking. Detail is exquisite.
Condition is excellent. This work is available with its original
frame and glass, without charge. Note: A larger photograph
of the art can be posted, on request. Close-Up.
Closer
Individually: $350.
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Gross07
Chaim Gross: Song of Songs - Behold, thou art fair
my love (IV:1), Color Lithograph. Member Edition. 24/200. The
paper size is 20 7/8" x 17". with full margins. The lithograph
is one in the complete folio of nine images and the suite has has
had only one original owner, an American Collector, who purchased
the folio in 1981 directly from The Judaic Heritage Society, New
York. The work is signed and numbered in pencil, by the artist.
The work represents the best of Chaim Gross's art and master printmaking.
. During the creation of the artwork an ink puddle dropped on the
edge of the paper. The puddle is in the upper left edge of the paper,
less than 2" in length and less than 1/2" in depth, and
does not impact on the condition of the arwork. Detail is exquisite.
Condition is excellent. This work is available with its original
frame, without charge. Note: A larger photograph of the art
will be posted soon. Close-Up.
Individally: $350.
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Gross08
Chaim Gross: Song of Songs - Let him kiss me with
the kisses of his mouth (I:2), Color Lithograph. Member Edition.
24/200. The paper size is 20 7/8" x 17". with full margins.
The lithograph is one in the complete folio of nine images and the
suite has has had only one original owner, an American Collector,
who purchased the folio in 1981 directly from The Judaic Heritage
Society, New York. The work is signed and numbered in pencil, by
the artist. The work represents the best of Chaim Gross's art and
master printmaking. During the creation of the artwork a droplet
of ink fell in the lower right margin edge, which does not impact
the condition of the art. Detail is exquisite. Condition is excellent.
This work is available with its original frame and glass, without
charge. Close-Up.
Closer
Indivually: $350.
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Gross09
Chaim Gross:Song of Songs - There are threescore
queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number...Who
is she that looketh forth as the morning...? (V:8-10), Color
Lithograph. Member Edition. 24/200. The paper size is 20 7/8"
x 17". with full margins. The lithograph is one in the complete
folio of nine images and the suite has has had only one original
owner, an American Collector, who purchased the folio in 1981 directly
from The Judaic Heritage Society, New York. The work is signed and
numbered in pencil, by the artist. The work represents the best
of Chaim Gross's art and master printmaking. Detail is exquisite.
Condition is excellent. This work is available with its original
frame and glass. Close-Up.
Individually: $350
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