Looking Upward

1928

James Lesesne Wells

Artist, American, 1902 - 1993

James Lesesne Wells

Attributed to

This black-and-white image displays bold, angular shapes and lines. At the center is a large human silhouette surrounded by geometric forms resembling buildings with windows, suggesting a cityscape. The buildings are at different angles, with some standing vertically and some laying horizontally. The figure, who looks up and to the right, also appears to hold smaller buildings that rest on a platform.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut in black on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ruth and Jacob Kainen Collection

  • Dimensions

    image: 35.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/8 x 9 1/8 in.)
    sheet: 55.9 x 43.2 cm (22 x 17 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1994.87.9

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Washington Project for the Arts, Washington, D.C.); Ruth and Jacob Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased June 14, 1992; gift to NGA, 1994

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2016

  • Three Centuries of American Prints: from the National Gallery of Art, National Gallery of Art, Washington; National Gallery in Prague, Prague 1; Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, Mexico City; Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, 2016 - 2017, no. 74.

Inscriptions

in graphite: 13/20 Looking Upward "28

Wikidata ID

Q75125999

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