Saul Steinberg

American, born Romania, 1914 - 1999

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The image displays bold, geometric lines forming large letters "L" and "A" in the foreground. Abstract plant-like forms spring from these letters. On the left, an organic shape resembling a tree trunk and cloud is depicted. On the right, a similar form suggests a stylized palm tree. A small, whimsically drawn cat-like creature sits between the base of the "A" and a round shape resembling a wheel. The scene merges a fantastical landscape with urban elements.
Saul Steinberg, LA (drawing in ink plus one mylar), 1994, drawing in black ink on wove paper, taped to larger sheet, with taped registration marks [accompanied by a black pen and ink drawing on mylar], Gift of The Saul Steinberg Foundation in honor of Judith Brodie, 2018.39.8

LA (drawing in ink plus one mylar)

Saul Steinberg · 1994 · drawing in black ink on wove paper, taped to larger sheet, with taped registration marks [accompanied by a black pen and ink drawing on mylar] ·  Accession ID  2018.39.8
The image shows a line drawing of a person's head and shoulders in profile view facing left. The person has exaggerated facial features, including a large nose and prominent chin. The eyes are simple and rounded with lashes, and the eyebrows are slightly arched. The hair is wavy and falls just above the shoulders. The person is wearing a pearl necklace. The background is plain within a square border.
Saul Steinberg, Patricia Mitchell, Gemini G.E.L., Portrait of M, 1992, published 1997, lithograph on Rives BFK wove paper, Gift of Gemini G.E.L., LLC and the Artist, 2017.54.11

Portrait of M

Saul Steinberg, Patricia Mitchell, Gemini G.E.L. · 1992, published 1997 · lithograph on Rives BFK wove paper ·  Accession ID  2017.54.11
This is a drawing of the word "TRASH" illustrated in large block letters on a spiral-bound notepad. The letters are three-dimensional and ascend vertically from the base of the page. Above the text, there is a rectangular object with protruding vertical lines and a few diagonal lines suggesting a detail or embellishment. The drawing is done with a light pencil, with minimal shading or intricate details.
Saul Steinberg, Study for "Trash", c.1986, graphite on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook, Gift of The Saul Steinberg Foundation, 2016.143.35.4

Study for "Trash"

Saul Steinberg · c.1986 · graphite on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook ·  Accession ID  2016.143.35.4
The image consists of interconnected curvilinear lines forming an abstract composition resembling a maze-like figure. The design may suggest a tree or a cloud formation in motion, with looping, swirling lines and distinct outlines resembling natural structures.
Saul Steinberg, Standing Figure, c.1986/1995, black felt-tip pen on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook, Gift of The Saul Steinberg Foundation, 2016.143.35.36

Standing Figure

Saul Steinberg · c.1986/1995 · black felt-tip pen on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook ·  Accession ID  2016.143.35.36
This vertical photograph shows a black ink drawing on an off-white page of a spiral-bound sketchbook. A person shown in profile faces our left, with one hand holding a pencil near the left edge. The pencil leaves a straight vertical line parallel to the notebook's edge. The drawing is made with simple, continuous outlines and areas of parallel hatching. The person’s head is near the upper center. A large circular eye with a dark pupil is set within the face, and a triangular nose projects to our left. A long line sweeps from the top of the head toward the upper right before curving downward to form the back of a hairline. Diagonal stripes fill part of this shape.
Saul Steinberg, Self-Portrait, Drawing, c.1986/1995, black felt-tip pen on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook, Gift of The Saul Steinberg Foundation, 2016.143.35.22

Self-Portrait, Drawing

Saul Steinberg · c.1986/1995 · black felt-tip pen on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook ·  Accession ID  2016.143.35.22
The line drawing depicts the upper half of a man's body, focusing on his face and chest. The man is in a forward-facing position with a turned head to the side, suggesting a three-quarter view. His facial features are exaggerated, with large, round eyes behind glasses, thick eyebrows, and a prominent mustache. The man has a bald head with a few lines indicating hair or scalp, particularly on the left side of his head. He is wearing a collared shirt. The background is plain, consisting of the white, unmarked page of the spiral-bound sketchbook in which the drawing is made, with the spiral binding visible along the left edge of the page.
Saul Steinberg, Self-Portrait, c.1986/1995, black felt-tip pen on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook, Gift of The Saul Steinberg Foundation, 2016.143.35.24

Self-Portrait

Saul Steinberg · c.1986/1995 · black felt-tip pen on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook ·  Accession ID  2016.143.35.24
The image depicts a line drawing of a person's head and upper shoulders in profile. The head has exaggerated features, including a curved nose and a large, single circle eye with minimal detailing. The facial expression suggests a smile, with arched lines for the mouth. The hair is represented with simple, curved lines. There are no details of the person's clothing. The background is a plain, blank page of a spiral-bound notebook visible on the left side.
Saul Steinberg, Self-Portrait in Profile, c.1986/1995, black felt-tip pen on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook, Gift of The Saul Steinberg Foundation, 2016.143.35.19

Self-Portrait in Profile

Saul Steinberg · c.1986/1995 · black felt-tip pen on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook ·  Accession ID  2016.143.35.19
The image shows a line drawing of a stylized face with large circular eyes, an elongated nose, a small mouth, short hair, and a mustache. The drawing is on paper with a spiral binding on the left edge against a plain white background.
Saul Steinberg, Self-Portrait, c.1986/1995, black felt-tip pen on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook, Gift of The Saul Steinberg Foundation, 2016.143.35.26

Self-Portrait

Saul Steinberg · c.1986/1995 · black felt-tip pen on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook ·  Accession ID  2016.143.35.26
The image shows intersecting and curved lines forming an abstract representation. In the center, the lines suggest a humanoid figure with exaggerated facial features. Surrounding this central figure are stacked, rounded shapes that may resemble vehicles. The background contains geometric shapes hinting at a landscape with varying depths.
Saul Steinberg, Cyclist, c.1995, graphite on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook, Gift of The Saul Steinberg Foundation, 2016.143.35.37

Cyclist

Saul Steinberg · c.1995 · graphite on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook ·  Accession ID  2016.143.35.37
The image shows a sketch of a person's head and part of the neck, emphasizing facial features with a three-quarter view. The individual is depicted with an exaggerated bulbous nose, pronounced facial lines, a mustache, and round glasses with thick frames. The hair is drawn as bald on top with some hair on the sides. The person is wearing a collared shirt visible at the neck. The sketch is done on a spiral-bound sketchbook, with a blank background providing no extra context.
Saul Steinberg, Self-Portrait, c.1986/1995, black felt-tip pen on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook, Gift of The Saul Steinberg Foundation, 2016.143.35.25

Self-Portrait

Saul Steinberg · c.1986/1995 · black felt-tip pen on wove paper in spiral-bound sketchbook ·  Accession ID  2016.143.35.25