Ruth Esserman Mixed Media Drawing, 16x20 Mounted (Chicago Artist 1936-2022

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Description

Original mixed media drawing by American artist Ruth Esserman, whose work explores the relationship between human presence and constructed space. … Read more Original mixed media drawing by American artist Ruth Esserman, whose work explores the relationship between human presence and constructed space. Esserman is known for her densely layered architectural compositions populated by small, silhouetted figures that move through abstracted urban or monumental environments.
Working in ink and wash on paper, Esserman combines precise linear structures with expressive mark-making and restrained tonal fields. Repetition of figures creates rhythm and scale, while sweeping architectural forms and intersecting planes suggest movement, tension, and psychological space. Her drawings balance clarity and complexity, inviting both immediate visual impact and sustained close viewing.
These works are especially compelling when displayed as a group, where variations in structure and spatial organization create a cohesive visual narrative. Ideal for collectors of contemporary works on paper and for modern, architectural, or urban interiors.
About the Artist
Ruth Esserman (1936-2022) was a Chicago based artist and educator whose work was exhibited nationally and internationally for more than five decades. Esserman was recognized for her figurative and architectural works on paper. Her drawings frequently investigate themes of scale, movement, and collective human experience within imagined architectural settings. Esserman’s work has been collected by both institutions and private collectors and is valued for its intellectual depth, compositional rigor, and distinctive visual language.
This composition features sweeping, curved architectural forms intersecting with angular planes, creating a dynamic, open spatial field. Dozens of silhouetted figures animate the scene, emphasizing the contrast between human scale and monumental structure. Cool blue and gray washes soften the dense line work, giving the piece both graphic strength and atmospheric depth.
DETAILS
Artist: Ruth Esserman
Medium: Mixed media on paper (ink and wash)
Style: Contemporary / Architectural / Figurative abstraction
Condition: Very good vintage condition
Framing: Unframed See less