Mother & Children

This is a monotype (1/1) created in 1949 by Jack Humphrey. It is signed in the upper right of the composition. It has been framed with UV glass and archival material. The framed dimensions are 19.5 x 16.5 in.

A monotype plate has no permanent marks whatsoever. The artist uses paints or ink to lay an image directly onto the plate. The artist may manipulate the image using a variety of substances or even remove some of that paint or ink to reveal white spaces. Once the artist is finished working directly on the plate, a print is then pulled from the plate. This process is similar to painting with the extra step of creating a mirror image of the painting on the plate. Artists who might otherwise paint directly onto paper or canvas, choose this technique since the mirror effect and the slight uncertainty of how much paint will transfer introduce an element of chance and play into the artwork’s creation. It also allows for a three-dimensional effect with the amount of light/white space on the paper. Most importantly, the different substances used to manipulate the paint or ink on that flat surface are able to render soft edges, washes and reticulations as the image dries, similar to the washes found in lithography.