Description:

Walter Inglis Anderson (American/Mississippi, 1903-1965), "Butterflies", c. 1947, wall hanging, linoleum block print on cotton cloth, printed in various color paints, 70 in. x 33 in. Provenance: Collection of the Artist; Private Collection Note: This rare and important textile exhibits Walter Anderson’s sensitivity to the symmetries and variations of natural form, and it shows a playful modernity and trompe l’oeil effect with a grid arrangement for the unique specimens, as if in an entomologist’s cabinet. Anderson’s lifetime interest in the natural world is well known, through the thousands of watercolors and linocuts he made of specimens and landscapes from Cat Island and nearby retreats. Mary Anderson Pickard observed that images from the natural world, affirmed his conviction of the inexhaustible beauties of nature, and encouraged the habit of close observation for her father. The linocut prints, geometric and carefully planned by necessity of the medium, emphasize the rhythms and patterns of nature though Anderson’s close observation. After their 1933 marriage, Walter and Sissy Anderson began collaboration on an illustrated book of poetry to be called Butterflies, with verse from Sissy accompanied by linocut prints from Walter. One surviving bit of text is as follows: Amongst the blossoms in and out One seldom sees the curious snout To a wise man one might compare The butterfly for he is rare Though Butterflies was never completed as conceived, this textile was created soon afterward and incorporates Anderson’s iconic linocuts into a unified masterwork. Thanks to Leif Anderson and Mary Anderson Pickard for their assistance. Ref: Pickard, Mary Anderson and Patricia Pinson. Form and Fantasy: The Block Prints of Walter Anderson. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2007.

Shipping Options

Invaluable Shipping

  • Expert Care packing and Shipping
  • Shipment Protection
  • Real-time tracking

Arrange your own

  • You will coordinate with us to arrange your own shipping

Local pickup

  • You will coordinate with us and arrange pick up time after payment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

November 21, 2015 10:00 AM CST
New Orleans, LA, US

Neal Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 $49,999 $500
$50,000 $999,999 $5,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $10,000
$2,000,000 $2,999,999 $15,000
$3,000,000 + $20,000