Historical Description

Frank Stella Imola Three II, 1984 is an engaging composition in black, grey, blue, yellow and red from the artist’s Circuits Series of 1982-84. The background of this work is rendered with chaotic black linework winding over a soft grey, and two red bands line the top and bottom edges of the composition. The foreground of the work is made up of larger forms in varying shades of blue, red and yellow. Fascinatingly, these marks in the foreground are the same ones that appear in the artist’s Imola Three I from two years earlier. In creating this work, Stella revisits his initial illustration of the Imola race track, revealing the effect his visit to the site in the 1970s had on him. Unlike Imola Three I, a relief and engraving, this work is a relief and woodcut. These printmaking methods allow the artist to achieve drawing-like and painterly marks and expand his Circuits Series.

Frank Stella Imola Three II, 1984 is part of a portfolio of 16 works in the artist’s Circuits Series from 1982-84. This body of work is inspired by his interest in race tracks that he visited all over the world. Also featured in this portfolio are Talladega Three I, Talladega Three II, Talladega Three III, Talladega Five I, Estoril Three II, Estoril Five I, Estoril Five II, Imola Three I, Imola Three II, State I, Imola Three IV, Imola Five II, Imola Five II, State I, Pergusa Three, Pergusa Three, State I, and Pergusa Three Double.

Created in 1982, this relief and woodcut on white TGL handmade, hand-colored paper is hand-signed by Frank Stella (Massachusetts, 1936 - ) in pencil in the lower right image and numbered from the edition of 30 in pencil in the lower right image.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Frank Stella Imola Three II, from the Circuits Series, 1984 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Axsom, Richard. The Prints of Frank Stella: A Catalogue Raisonné 1967–1984. Hudson Hills Press: New York, 1983. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 142.1 on pg. 231.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Frank Stella Imola Three II, from the Circuits Series, 1984 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.