1960s Irving Amen "Reverie" Original Signed Etching - Rare Trial Proof

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Discover a rare moment in the creative process of master printmaker Irving Amen (American, 1918–2011). Titled "Reverie," this soulful mid-century … Read more Discover a rare moment in the creative process of master printmaker Irving Amen (American, 1918–2011). Titled "Reverie," this soulful mid-century etching captures a delicate, contemplative portrait of a young woman, rendered with Amen’s signature expressive line work and rich, velvety intaglio textures.
The "Trial Proof" Distinction:
Unlike a standard numbered edition, this piece is a Trial Proof (hand-noted "T/P" and "Trial proof" in graphite). Trial proofs are pulled by the artist while working on the plate to test the acid’s "bite" and the ink's depth. Because only a handful of these exist for any given work, they are highly coveted by serious collectors as a unique, "pre-edition" state of the artwork.
Hand-signed by the artist in the lower right, this work is a superb example of American Figurative Expressionism. It comes custom-framed in a sleek, contemporary black frame that allows the intricate details of the etching to take center stage.
About the Artist
Irving Amen was a titan of 20th-century American graphic arts. A prodigy who won a scholarship to the Pratt Institute at just 14, his work has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Smithsonian, and the Library of Congress. His technical mastery of the etching process is world-renowned, with permanent collections in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum. See less