In this special twice-signed unique work on paper, abstract expressionist master Helen Frankenthaler has taken one of only three Artists Proofs of her poignant aquatint "Passeggiata Romana" (Roman Walk) and painted unique additions in acrylic and crayon, making this a one of a kind original work of art. It was created during the mid-Seventies, one of the most influential eras in the artist's career, and bears a special, hand written and hand signed inscription, "To Ann, Love Helen", as it was personally gifted by Frankenthaler to a dear friend.

This unique work on paper was made on an etching and aquatint printed in five colors: yellow, pale orange, green, white and orange on a sheet measuring 27.5 by 39.1 inches on Fabriano Rosaspina paper.

Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) studied with Hans Hofmann in 1950, and exhibited the following year with the New York School Abstract Expressionist painters at the historic “9th St” Show. A distinctive member of the New York School, she is best known for pouring transparent layers of paint directly onto unsized, unstretched canvas. Frankenthaler is perhaps best known for changing the direction of Abstract Expressionism in the 1950s when she began pouring cans of paint directly onto un-sized, un-stretched canvas, effectively propelling the technique of Color Field Painting pioneered by Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman. Artists like Morris Louis and Kenneth Noland freely acknowledged their debt to her. Frankenthaler was once married to the legendary Robert Motherwell, and for a time, they were considered the golden couple in the world of abstract art.

This rare etching and aquatint with unique hand painted additions displays the artist's skill as a printmaker as well as a painter.

This work is in its original period metallic wood frame with plexiglass. It is ready to hang.