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Our History Mr. von Ruster retired in 2010 and Mrs. Blakely greatly reduced her hours in 2011. The gallery continues under the direction of Laura Graham, offering the finest prints and maps to both sophisticated and new collectors. After creating a formal exhibition space to display and promote contemporary and early 20th century works, the gallery began presenting shows. The first opened in September of 2010, featuring kaleidoscopic modified aerial photographs by DC’s renegade cartographer, Nikolas Schiller (see page 23). For the event, richly detailed antique maps were hung on one side of the gallery and Schiller’s contemporary cartographic creations on the other. This playful pairing of new and old set the foundation for the gallery’s future approach to prints and maps. As a venue for contemporary art, the gallery has attracted participation of notable local printmakers, such as Susan Goldman, Jake Muirhead and Philip Bennet, as well as many supplied by The Old Print Shop. Besides gallery openings, we have hosted printmaking workshops and artist talks. Stretching the range of the venue, we recently presented a show of bronze figures and prints by Italian-based sculptor Robert Cook. To share the exciting changes and events occurring at the gallery, as well as showcase its fine selection of prints, The Old Print Gallery began a blog (www.oldprintgallery.wordpress.com) in the winter of 2010. Visitors to the blog find weekly features such as Past/Present, a pairing of two complimentary prints from both our antique and contemporary holdings. We also interview artists about their inspiration and techniques, highlight new additions to our collection and announce upcoming events and shows. The gallery will continue to serve the Washington art community and beyond, introducing new and noteworthy printmakers, while furthering knowledge of significant and collectable historical works and maps. It is this celebration of both old and new that makes the Old Print Gallery a distinctive art destination.
37. FORBIDDEN FRUIT. Luigi Rist. Color woodcut, 1948. Edition 150. Signed in ink within image, titled in pencil in margin. Very good condition. #2718-2 $4,500.
38. MEDAL SWAYING. Robert Cook. Bronze, 2006. Edition 5/10. Signed, dated. Size 6” tall (153 mm). Very good condition. #78324-1 $600.