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Martin Lewis (American, 1881–1962)
LOT ID: 45998
Chance Meeting, 1941

Drypoint, etching
10.5 х 7.5 in. cm.
Signed, "Martin Lewis", Lower Right margin
Edition of 105
Foundry/Publisher Society of American Etchers, pub.
Lot description
[26.7 x 19 cm]
Classic, evocative, dramatic and iconic American Scene engraving with strong articulation and contrast by Australian-born American Printmaker Martin Lewis (1881-1962).

A chance encounter is captured by the storefront’s spilling light: a lyrical gesture between a young woman in bobby-sox and an interested young man, circa 1940s. The storefront, punctuated by a “7-up” sign, a logo sign for “telephone inside”, and a placard for 10 cent (“$ 00.10”) “Sunday Papers”, is flanked on the right by American flags.

Martin Lewis emigrated to New York City in 1900, after initially studying art in Sydney. The artist travelled to San Francisco, spent two years in Japan during the early 1920s, and a few years in Connecticut during the 1930s, however his imagery is predominantly filled with moody and industrial street scenes—night scenes in particular. Although he did paint on canvas, his graphics are considered his primary artistic work; he is considered one of the most important American printmakers of the 1920-1930s period.
Lewis lived and worked in New York throughout most of his life.

SELECTED MUSEUM COLLECTIONS:
National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA
Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, AL
National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, FL
San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, CA
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC
Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago, IL
Wichita Art Museum, Wichita, KS
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  • Martin Lewis

    Spring night, Greenwich Village
    etching w/ drypoint
    (H 9.9, W 12.2) in.
    (25.1 x 31.1) cm.
    Ed. ed.c.92
    Sold for: US$18,750
    Tuesday, April 26, 2011
    Christie's New York
    Lot 00005
  • Martin Lewis

    Chance meeting
    drypoint
    (H 10.5, W 7.5) in.
    (26.7 x 19.0) cm.
    Ed. ed.105
    Sold for: US$11,850
    Friday, January 28, 2011
    Skinner
    Lot 00070
  • Martin Lewis

    Chance meeting
    drypoint
    (H 10.4, W 7.4) in.
    (26.5 x 18.8) cm.
    Ed. ed.105
    Sold for: US$19,200
    Thursday, September 16, 2010
    Swann Galleries
    Lot 00134
  • Martin Lewis

    Chance meeting
    drypoint
    (H 10.4, W 7.4) in.
    (26.5 x 18.8) cm.
    Ed. ed.105
    Sold for: US$14,000
    Thursday, September 20, 2007
    Swann Galleries
    Lot 00321
  • Martin Lewis

    Chance meeting
    drypoint
    (H 10.5, W 7.5) in.
    (26.7 x 19.0) cm.
    Ed. ed.105
    Sold for: US$14,400
    Wednesday, May 02, 2007
    Doyle New York
    Lot 04285
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