Songs of a Sourdough

1969-1970

R. B. Kitaj

Associated Names
R. B. Kitaj

Artist, American, 1932 - 2007

Kelpra Studio

Printer

Marlborough Gallery

Publisher

Schellenberg FL

Publisher

The image shows the upper half of a person standing by a body of water. The person is holding a pan in one hand and resting a shovel on the ground with the other. Their facial features are not clearly distinguished due to the black and white nature of the image, but they have a large, bushy beard and wear a rugged hat. Their clothing appears practical, consisting of a shirt with rolled-up sleeves and knee-length trousers. The person is surrounded by a natural setting, with pebbles or small rocks at their feet and a calm body of water behind them. The image is a black and white photograph bordered by a textured material with embroidery; it serves as the cover for a book titled "Songs of a Sourdough" by Robert W. Service.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    color photo-screenprint and collage on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of the Collectors Committee

  • Dimensions

    image: 45.8 x 42.4 cm (18 1/16 x 16 11/16 in.)
    sheet: 77.2 x 57.8 cm (30 3/8 x 22 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1996.23.10

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Ramkalawon 2013, no. 82

Associated Artworks

See all 50 artworks
This is a drawing of a book cover design. The image shows a green cover design for a book titled "The Tower" by W.B. Yeats. The design includes an illustration of a tall tower and stylized foliage in the foreground. Text elements include "THE TOWER," "W.B. YEATS," and "MACMILLAN AND CO." The style is reminiscent of early 20th-century graphic design, with a geometric and linear form dominating the imagery.

The Tower

R. B. Kitaj, Kelpra Studio, Marlborough Gallery, Schellenberg FL

1969

This is a photograph of a book cover. The cover is black with bold white text centered on it. The text reads: "IN OUR TIME" in large, uppercase letters with a horizontal line underneath. Below the line, it states: "COVERS FOR A SMALL LIBRARY AFTER THE LIFE FOR THE MOST PART" in slightly smaller uppercase letters. At the bottom, the name "R.B.KITAJ" is featured in uppercase letters. The design of the cover is minimalistic, with a focus on typography and contrast between the black background and white text.

In Our Time: Covers for a Small Library After the Life for the Most Part

R. B. Kitaj, Kelpra Studio, Marlborough Gallery, Schellenberg FL

1969

This is a photograph of a book cover. The cover features the title "HOW TO READ" by Ezra Pound prominently in bold, uppercase letters. Above the title is the word "PROLEGOMENA." Below the main title, additional text reads "FOLLOWED BY THE SPIRIT OF ROMANCE PART," and at the bottom, it states "TO Publishers." The cover has a plain, textured surface with a utilitarian aesthetic, and the font used enhances legibility. The design suggests an emphasis on content rather than decorative elements.

How to Read

R. B. Kitaj, Kelpra Studio, Marlborough Gallery, Schellenberg FL

1969

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Robert Brown Gallery, Washington, D.C.); acquired 1996 by the National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Bibliography

1994

  • Kinsman, Jane. The Prints of R. B. Kitaj. Hants, England: Scolar Press, 1994, no. 37, x.

2013

  • Ramkalawon, Jennifer. Kitaj Prints: A Catalogue Raisonné. London: British Museum, 2013, no. 82.

Inscriptions

lower right in graphite: RK

Markings

embossed: J GREEN.; stamped lower right verso in black ink: 7112 / K

Watermarks

G

Wikidata ID

Q75397085

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