Willem de Kooning, Guild Hall, hand signed and inscribed to Claire York by de Kooning

Willem de Kooning

Guild Hall Print, Hand signed and inscribed, 1976

Offset Lithograph

Unframed

33" vertical x 39" horizontal 

signed and inscribed on the front for Claire with love by Willem de Kooning in black marker

Rarely does one find an offset lithograph, hand signed by Willem de Kooning with such superb provenance. This work was acquired from the Estate of Dr. Alan York of East Hampton, New York, de Kooning's longtime optometrist and close personal friend, who died in 2014. It is personally inscribed to Claire York, his wife. In a tribute to Dr. York, the East Hampton Star writes, "He counted among his patients the artist Willem de Kooning, with whom he spent hours discussing the old masters while watching him paint. Understanding how de Kooning painted helped him make glasses suitable for both his close-up and faraway work..." This offset lithograph was published on occasion of de Kooning's exhibition in East Hampton, New York, sponsored by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York. (publisher) and the National Endowment for the Arts. Authenticity of this work and de Kooning's signature is unconditionally guaranteed.

good vintage condition and a bright impression; there is general creasing around the white margins and corners (see photos) visible especially up close but not at all affecting the image, which will soften when framed.