John Ihle Limited Edition Etching on Paper "Homenaje a Pancho de Orellana"

Item Details

A limited edition etching on paper titled Homenaje a Pancho de Orellana by American artist John Ihle (1925-2002), created in 1958. Referring to Spanish explorer Francisco de Orellana, this abstract black and white work features a sailing boat filled with men dressed in armor, surrounded by terrestrial animals and tropical trees. A spiky line representing the water surface runs horizontally across the composition, separating the aquatic from terrestrial life. Various reptiles, amphibians, fish, plants, and other aquatic animals crowd the water below. Figures and forms are abstractly rendered with thick outlines, linear hatch marks, and various textures and patterns. The print is dated and signed by hand in graphite to the lower right margin. It is titled to the lower center margin and numbered 4 out of an edition of 10 to the lower left margin. It is mounted on cardboard backing under a white mat and a protective plastic sleeve bound to the backing. The work remains unframed.

Born in Chicago, John Ihle studied at Illinois Wesleyan University where he was a student of Charles White. He was employed at the Chicago Museum of Natural History as a botanical illustrator and later became known for his experimentation in printmaking. Ihle’s work has been exhibited by several institutions including the National Gallery of Art, the Library of Congress, and the Art Institute of Chicago, among others.

Condition

- residue, stains, and scratches throughout plastic covering; binding along edges of plastic covering is detaching or lost.

Dimensions

- measurement of mat; plate marks measure approximately 23.75" W x 14.75" H.

Item #

17WDC078-142