141: ROGER MEDEARIS (1920-2001) SIGNED LITHOGRAPH WITH COLOR

Roger Norman Medearis (1920-2001)
The Farmer Takes a Wife (1989)
The hand-colored lithograph, an advanced state in at least seven colors, is numbered 91 from an edition of only 100 prints, titled below the image, and signed by the artist in pencil lower right with the date of '89. The words COLOR ADDED BY HAND are below the signature. A printer's embossed chopmark and RM artist's monogram are found lower left corner of the sheet.

Roger Medearis was considered one of Benton's most promising students during their tenure at The Kansas City Art Institute. But following the War, Medearis, like so many Regionalists, became disillusioned with the societal changes that saw the public turn away from the old: Regionalism, and embrace the new: Abstraction.

Life happened and it wasn't until decades later that the artist found himself making art once again - thus the reference found on the back of this print: 'Based on a drawing I made in 1940 - RM.' This print and others in this auction by Roger Medearis are the result of his return to Regionalism. In the market, some of his stone lithographs are found with no color added. Others are found with only a few colors. The prints up for auction here display the full range of ''color added by hand,'' and in great detail.
Image measures 11 x 13, sheet size 14.25 x 16.25, the frame is 21.25 x 23 inches.
Very good to fine condition, the full untrimmed sheet with four original deckle edges, not laid down, no damage, stain, punctures, tears or repair; framed to archival standards in acid free mounts.
Provenance: The Constable Family Collection.
$300 - $500