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Susan Teller Gallery

Louis Schanker: Woodcuts on Paper, Plaster, and Wood

COVER SUSAN TELLER Schanker, Abstract La

Louis Schanker: Woodcuts on Paper, Plaster, and Wood

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Louis Schanker (1903-1981) was a master of mid-twentieth century American modernist printmaking. Also a sculptor and painter, his approach was consistently innovative. Just in this group of works it is clear that each subject required its own approach to the medium – here the woodcut. He also made intaglios and monotypes.

In the early days of the New Deal programs Schanker was co-director (with Lynd Ward) of the NYC Relief Division of the printmaking programs, made murals for public buildings, and was one of the Ten Whitney Dissenters. (Although he had a picture on view in the museum at the time.) In the 1940s he taught at the New School for Social Research and through that had a role at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17. In 1949 he began teaching at Bard College where he stayed until his retirement.

- Susan Teller, April, 2020

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Image: Louis Schanker, Abstract Landscape, 1945

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In all of this work he (Louis Schanker) seeks to express new relationships between organic and geometric forms and objects in motion. The thrust and counter thrust of movement, whether in a polo game or in a repeated theme of music, take on fresh graphic meaning and enjoy free range of expression. An admirably independent artist, he aspires to impart to the observer a sense of participation, and to interpret in abstract but highly personal terms, the life about him.

-Una Johnson, Curator, Brooklyn Museum of Art exhibition catalogue, 1943

1 SUSAN TELLER Schanker, Abstract Landsc

Louis Schanker

Abstract Landscape, 1945

Woodcut

13 x 30 inches

Louis Schanker

Abstract Landscape, 1945

Woodcut on plaster

13 x 30 inches

2 SUSAN TELLER Schanker, Abstract Landsc
CONTEXT 1 SUSAN TELLER Louis Schanker by

Andrew Herman, Louis Schanker, 1936, made for Federal Art Project.

3 SUSAN TELLER Schanker, White Forms, ma

Louis Schanker

White Forms, 1948

Made from plaster matrix

10 x 26 inches

Louis Schanker

 Mythical Cock, 1948

Woodcut

19 1/2 x 21 1/2 inches

4 SUSAN TELLER From STG, Schanker, Mythi
5 SUSAN TELLER From ST, Schanker, revers

Louis Schanker

Mythical Cock, 1948 

Counter proof of woodcut on the back of the block for the print, with hand-work 

21 x 23 inches including the 'frame.'

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Louis Schanker

Man at Piano, 1936

Woodcut

8 3/4 x 6 inches

6_SUSAN_TELLER_Schanker,_Man_at_Piano,_1
7 SUSAN TELLER Schanker, proof for Footb

Louis Schanker

Football (Dark), 1940

Trial proof of woodcut

10 1/4 x 14 inches​

Louis Schanker

Football/Forms in Action, 1938

Watercolor preparatory study for both woodcut subjects

13 x 15 inches, sheet size

8 SUSAN TELLER Schanker, Football _ Form
9 SUSAN TELLER Schanker, Forms in Action

Louis Schanker

Forms in Action, 1941

Woodcut

10 x 14 inches

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Louis Schanker

In the early days of the New Deal programs Schanker was co-director (with Lynd Ward) of the NYC Relief Division of the printmaking programs, made murals for public buildings, and was one of the Ten Whitney Dissenters. (Although he had a picture on view in the museum at the time.) In the 1940s he taught at the New School for Social Research and through that had a role at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17. In 1949 he began teaching at Bard College where he stayed until his retirement.

Full Biography

Susan Teller Gallery can be reached at:

phone: +1 212-941-7335
email: [email protected]

Or visit online at www.susantellergallery.com

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