"Four Caribes" by Adolf Dehn, German-Amer., (1895-1968)

Color Lithograph, 1961, ed. of 30, L.&O.548, stated ed. of 35 plus proofs, printed at Desjobert, Paris, 19-3/8 x 14-15/16, signed, titled and no. in pencil, on cream wove RIVES BFK paper, trace of a mat line and trace of glue residue from previous hinges top margin recto edge. Adolf Dehn, like his contemporary Miguel Covarrubius, loved to travel to other cultures, and had a devastating gift for caricature, which he wielded with equal opportunity for all. Dehn was also masterfully experimental in his approach to printmaking. In 1950 AAA published the technical manual "How to Draw and Print Lithographs" by Adolf Dehn and Lawrence Barrett, where one can see Dehn at his more experimental. He would rub the drawn surface to soften edges, use "stopping out" and subtractive "honing", or scraping away the inked stone to introduce highlights, and notably, he frequently used washes of fatty liquid ink "tusche" to create puddled washes with subtle value ranges and marvelous textures, as seen here. In these regards there is an affinity with the experimental  "L'Art Brute" lithographs of Jean Dubuffet, and a hint of Tamayo as well.  A large, bold and colorful print by the artist.