KunstHausWien, Peter Beard, “Stress & Density,” Folded Card, 1999, 8.25 x 5.75 inches
Art ephemera – the advertising and promotional material created by galleries to publicize and sell art – is now a coveted collectible onto itself. Collecting ephemera is a way to own vintage objects connected to famous artists, and at the same time, learn more about the history of art as it actually unfolded. Gallery 98’s massive collection of over 5000 cards, posters and catalogues from the 1960s to the 1990s is almost certain to include items connected with your favorite artists. Browse by artist, gallery and collecting interest.
The confirmation of Peter Beard’s death on April 19th following his mysterious disappearance a few weeks earlier was front-page news. As it turned out, there was no foul play, just an 82-year-old man with dementia engaging in a life-long practice of wandering off alone into the woods. Beard is best known for his photographic books featuring animals in Africa, but also exhibited autobiographical photocollages in galleries. The card reproduced above is from an exhibition in Vienna, Austria.
Susan Rothenberg’s death on May 18, 2020 at the age of 75 has revived interest in an artist who attracted major attention in the mid-1970s with her large monochrome paintings with abstract forms, expressive brushwork, and simplified images of horses. Her signature style can be seen below in a poster from a very early show at the Willard Gallery.
Willard Gallery, Susan Rothenberg, Poster, 1977, 27 x 20 inches
