Lithograph

Black and white figurative abstract lithograph of two naked, crouching figures by California artist "Rico Lebrun," titled "Crouching Figures" and dated 1961. Additional writing on the lithograph that says "To Sarita, for her birthday," labeled on the bottom.

Born in Naples, Italy on Dec. 10, 1900. "Rico" Lebrun studied at the Academy of Arts and Nat'l Technical Institute before moving to NYC in 1924. While working in advertising art, he taught at the Art Student League. During the 1930s he worked for the WPA as a muralist and did cartoons in the NYC Post Office Annex. After settling in Santa Barbara in 1938, he commuted to Los Angeles to teach at Chouinard School of Art. In 1946 he relocated to Los Angeles to teach at Jepson Art Institute and work as an animator for Walt Disney. He also taught in Mexico at Escuela de Bellas Artes and San Miguel de Allende, and at the American Academy in Rome. Lebrun contributed greatly to California art both as an educator and as an advocate of modern art. With subjects including the Crucifixion and Nazi concentration camps, his bold, modern depictions of human figures show the influence of Goya and Picasso. He died of cancer in Malibu, CA on May 9, 1964.

H 22 in. x W 31 in. x D .01 in.