Philip Burnham Hicken Original Serigraph - 1946

Philip Burnham Hicken (1910-1985) is a well known printmaker who specialized in making screenprints or original serigraphs. He is noted for being an innovator in creating abtract serigraphs when the medium of serigraphy was in its infancy. He started as a printmaker with a 4 year apprenticeship at Forbes Lithography Inc. where he drew diverse realist subjects like civil war scenes and portraits of George Washington. His classical training led to his participation in the WPA's easel and mural projects (1936). While in the WPA, he worked as a muralist, teacher, watercolorist, painter and silk-screen printmaker (which became his preferred medium for artistic expression for most of his life. His best friend was noted serigrapher Edward Landon who steered him towards abstraction. He participated in the first exhibition devoted entirely to silkscreen prints (1940). In 1944, he was assigned to Patton's Third Army where he worked as an army artist making training aids. Several of his sketcheslater became silkscreen prints. After the 3rd army liberated Nuremberg, Germany, he offered art training in a small art school for interested G.I.s who wearily resided in the war-torn city. Post war, his teaching career took place at Boston University, Harvard University and eventually he became the Chairman of the Department of Design at the Boston School of Art. He continued to create colorful abstract silkscreen prints into the 1970's. He died in 1985.

This serigraph is pencil titled "Marquis Funeral" in the lower left margin.It is in an edition of 30 and is signed in pencil by the artist in the lower right corner. In the lower left, it is pencil dated "1946" and numbered "6" so this is proof 6/30. The image measures 9 and 1/2" by 12" and the print in the mat is 20" x 16". This colorful serigraph was purchased from the Hatay-Stratton Gallery back in 1995. The subject reflects an image from when Hicken was a WWII artist and depicts the colorful funeral of a dignitary complete with military escort and colorful French flags. Because it was created in 1946 it has some historical importance since serigraphs or silkscreens as a legitimate art form were just coming into their own. The predominant colors are olive, ochre. rose, green, navy blue, red and black. On the front mat cover of the print, in pencil, is written the artist's name, the print title and the original gallery price of $285.00. Margins are wide with the left margin reading "Marquis Funeral - 30 in edition - hicken" as if this was a proof note or something. I have collected Philip Hicken's silkscreen prints for years and have sold several over the years to art collectors who know his contribution to the medium of serigraphy. A comprehensive bio-sheet on the artist will also be included in this lot.