FRANK STELLA IMOLA FIVE II, CIRCUIT SERIES, 1983

Frank Stella’s Circuits series is based on his interesting in different racetracks spanning the globe. Imola Five II is centered around the racetrack in the town of Imola, Italy. The track, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, used to host the Formula One San Marino Grand Prix – to those in the know, the track is called ‘Imola’. Green tracks weave around, overlapping and circling one another. The curves mimic the twists and turns of a racecourse, and the black used on the background mirrors the dark asphalt. If the bright greens did not draw the eye in to Imola Five II, surely the light blue lines that swirl around would. When two blue lines run parallel, they look like tire treads, and the circling nature enhances the effect.

Stella is a master at working in multimedia, and that is clear in this wonderful piece. Use of the woodcut has lent itself to depth, and the additional coloring is brilliantly used to highlight the important features of the composition.

Created in 1983, this woodcut in colors with hand-coloring on TGL handmade paper is signed and dated by Frank Stella (Massachusetts, 1936 - ) in pencil in the lower right and inscribed artist proof in pencil in the lower right; published by Tyler Graphics, Ltd., Bedford.

Frank Stella Imola Five II, 1983 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.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Frank Stella Imola Five II, Circuits Series, 1983 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 H. Frank Stella Prints: A Catalogue Raisonné. New York: Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation, 2016. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 142.3 on page 233.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Frank Stella Imola Five II, from the Circuits Series, 1983 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.