Ten Days (Portfolio of 8) (Lewison 20), 1971

Private Collection, Toronto

Robert Storr, “Interviews on Art”, edited by Francesca Pietropaolo, Heni Publishing, London, 2017, pg. 452

In an interview with Robert Storr Brice Marden describes his practice: “I use the structure of calligraphy working from right to left, top to bottom. Just working that way and using these basic sort of drawn elements.” Often called a minimalist Brice Marden is an artist difficult to categorize. After receiving his BFA from Boston University School of Fine and Applied Arts in 1961, he completed his MFA at the Yale School of Fine Art in 1963. It was here he developed formal strategies that would be his preoccupation: rectangular formats and a subdued palette. The qualities one sees in Marden’s paintings is carried over into his prints and drawings. Using line and minimal colour his etchings from the Ten Days Portfolio have an almost spiritual quality. Inspired by his travels in Greece, within the restrictions of the etching plate Marden is exploring the various tones of black and white, while also employing the strong calligraphic lines that can also be found in his large abstract works, only here on a more intimate level.