Pearlstein, one of the so-called New Realists, has been described by Sidney Tillman as concentrating "on the factual presence . . . of the object that is simply there—returned, regained—before it assumes those . . . contingencies of feeling we generally associate with fine art. The expression is primarily in the restitution of the object rather than emotional evocation through the object," leading him to characterize Pearlstein’s work as at once "anti-expressionist [and] anti-rhetorical." In a review in the NY Times (7-26-12), Ken Johnson notes that Pearlstein "became famous for his startlingly clinical and rigorously formalist paintings of sleepy, professional nude models . . . [his works] testify to a kind of religious insistence on empirical observation." Pearlstein has been acclaimed as one of the important post-modern American masters of the figure. His prices have begun rising rapidly in keeping with both his critical reputation and his age.

Bibliography: Russell Bowman, Philip Pearlstein. The Complete Paintings (NY: Alpine, 1983); Alexander Duckers, Philip Pearlstein. Zeichnungen und Aquarelle, Die Druckgraphik (Berlin: Staatliche Museen Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Kupferstichkabinett, 1972); Linda Nochlin, Philip Pearlstein (Athens: The University of Georgia Museum of Art, 970); Philip Pearlstein, Figures and Other Objects (NY: Hirschl & Adler Modern, 1988); John Perreault, Philip Pearlstein, Drawings and Watercolors (NY: Abrams, 1988); Irving Sandler, Philip Pearlstein: A Retrospective (New York: Alpine Fine Arts Collection, 1983; a very large exhibition catalogue from the Milwaukee Art Museum); Robert Storr, Philip Pearlstein Since 1983 (NY: Abrams, 2002); Jerome Viola, The Painting and Teaching of Philip Pearlstein (NY: Watson-Guptill,1982).

Catalogue Raisonnés of Prints: Richard S. Field, The Lithographs and Etchings of Philip Pearlstein (Springfield MO: Springfield Art Museum, 1978); Linda Kramer, The Graphic Works of Philip Pearlstein: 1978-1994 (Springfield MO: Springfield Art Museum, 1995).

Nude on an iron bench (Field 60). Original aquatint and lift-ground etching, 1975. Edition: 50 signed and numbered impressions on handmade Twinrocker Mill paper from one copper plate in brown ink for the Landfall Press Etching Portolio; there were also 25 impressions signed and number in Roman numerals I/XXV to XXV/XXV (of which ours is number II/XXV). One of Pearlstein's most important prints, it is illustrated on both the front and rear endpaper's of Field's catalogue raisonné of Pearlstein's prints. It is also ilustrated (full-page illustration) in Joseph Ruzicka, Landfall Press: Twenty-five Years of Printmaking (Milwaukee: Milwaukee Art Center, 1996), p. 162. Image size: 457x610mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.

Models and Horses. Original color lithograph, 1992. Edition: 140 signed impressions for the Madison Print Club plus 20 artists proofs. Hard to find outside of the membership of the print club. Image size: 525x712mm. Price: Please call or email for current pricing information.

Spaightwood Galleries, Inc.

To purchase, call us at 1-800-809-3343 (1-508-529-2511 in Upton MA & vicinity) or send an email to spaightwood@gmail.com.
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