William Wegman

William Wegman (b. 1943) is world famous for the anthropomorphic photographs, videos and films of his Weimaraner dogs such as Man Ray, Fay Ray, Battina, Crooky, Chundo, and Chip. However, Wegman began his career as a painter and conceptual artist, facets of his work that are often overwhelmed by the popularity of the canine portraiture.

REFLECTIONAL

Wegman's Graphicstudio collaboration reflects both his work with dogs and his more painterly/conceptual side. Reflectional is a sweetly affectionate and meditative view of two of the dogs, executed as a photogravure print. The process is ideal for capturing the texture and tones of the dogs' fur. This "antique" medium also gives the print a timeless air.

SHORE LINER, SOUVENIR

When in residence at Graphicstudio, Wegman visited an antiquarian bookseller in Tampa and purchased a number of vintage postcards of the area. Placing the postcards on good rag paper, and using their subject matter as a starting point, Wegman painted in watercolor around the postcards, transforming them into fantasy landscapes. Graphicstudio faithfully reproduced the vintage post cards, and they have been collaged onto the lithographic renderings of the watercolors in the prints Shore Liner and Souvenir.

William of Orange

William of Orange is a 5-color photogravure printed à la poupeé in three runs: the first plate is soft ground, aquatint and drypoint, in peach and dark purple; the second plate is photogravure with aquatint in light orange and orange; and the third plate is photogravure in medium purple. The image, derived from a digital file, presents Wegman's dog William in profile, bathed in a deep, warm orange light. Blocks of saturated color form an abstract composition that frames and contrasts with the tactile, nuanced contours of the Weimaraner's smooth hair.

 

Further Resources

Artist's Site: williamwegman.com

Printmaking + Sculpture Terms

Printmaking Glossary

Sculpture Glossary

Sales

For sales, or more information about an edition, please contact Graphicstudio at (813) 974-3503 or gsoffice@usf.edu.

Copyright + Reproduction

Images of the artwork are jointly owned by the artist and Graphicstudio. Reproduction of any kind including electronic media must be expressly approved by Graphicstudio.