Frank Stella Conway 1974 Signed Lithograph Edition of 100 from the Eccentric Polygons Series

Artist: Frank Stella
Title: Conway (from the Eccentric Polygons series)
Medium: Lithograph and Screenprint in Colors on Arches Paper
Edition: 34/100
Publisher: Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles
Sheet Size: 17.25" x 22.25" (unframed)
Year: 1974
Inscription: Signed, dated and numbered to front lower right '34/100 F.Stella 74'
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
Literature: Axsom 97 | Gemini 51.5

"Conway" (1974), from the Eccentric Polygons series, is a lithograph and screenprint in colors by Frank Stella, a central figure in postwar American abstraction. This work reflects Stella's sustained investigation into geometric form and pictorial structure, marking a significant phase in his transition from the austere linearity of his early paintings to increasingly dynamic and irregular compositional systems. In "Conway", Stella abandons the conventional rectangular format in favor of an asymmetrical polygonal configuration, emphasizing the literal shape of the image as an integral component of its visual logic.

The Eccentric Polygons series derives from Stella's earlier Irregular Polygon paintings of the mid-1960s, in which he began to treat the canvas as an object rather than a neutral ground. In these works, color bands and interlocking geometric forms respond directly to the contours of the support, creating a self-referential relationship between structure and surface. In "Conway", vibrant color passages are organized into radiating arcs and angular segments that activate the composition while maintaining formal clarity. The interplay between lithographic line and screenprinted color produces crisp edges and saturated planes, underscoring Stella's interest in precision, material process, and the mechanics of printmaking.

This impression is number 34 from an edition of 100, published by Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles, a workshop renowned for its technical innovation and collaborations with leading contemporary artists. Executed in 1974, the work is a lithograph and screenprint in colors on Arches paper. The sheet measures 17.25 inches in height by 22.25 inches in width and is unframed. It is signed, dated, and numbered on the front lower right, inscribed "34/100 F. Stella 74". The print is accompanied by a gallery certificate of authenticity and is documented in the literature as Axsom 97 and Gemini 51.5.

About Frank Stella

Frank Stella (1936–2024) was a major American artist whose work played a pivotal role in the development of Minimalism and post-painterly abstraction in the twentieth century. Known for his bold geometric compositions, shaped canvases, and later sculptural constructions, Stella consistently challenged traditional definitions of painting while expanding the possibilities of abstraction in modern and contemporary art.

Born in Malden, Massachusetts, Stella studied history at Princeton University, where he developed an early interest in abstract art. By the late 1950s, he gained critical recognition for his Black Paintings, a series characterized by stark linear patterns and a restrained monochromatic palette. These works introduced his well-known assertion that "what you see is what you see," reflecting his emphasis on the literal surface and structure of the canvas rather than illusionistic depth or narrative content. This approach positioned Stella as a central figure in the emergence of Minimalist art.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Stella continued to innovate with shaped canvases, irregular polygons, and vibrant color systems. Series such as the Protractor paintings and the Polish Village works demonstrated increasingly complex compositional strategies and architectural references. In addition to painting, Stella produced an extensive body of prints, including lithographs, screenprints, and etchings, often in collaboration with leading print workshops. His printmaking practice remains highly regarded among collectors and institutions for its technical rigor and formal experimentation.

In the 1980s and beyond, Stella's work evolved into large-scale, multidimensional constructions that bridged painting and sculpture. These later works incorporated dynamic curves, layered materials, and bold chromatic contrasts, underscoring his continued interest in spatial complexity and structural innovation. Across all phases of his career, Frank Stella art is distinguished by its intellectual discipline, formal clarity, and sustained investigation of abstraction.

Stella exhibited widely in major international museums and galleries and was the subject of numerous retrospectives, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His work is represented in prominent public and private collections worldwide. Today, Frank Stella paintings, prints, and sculptures remain central to discussions of Minimalism, geometric abstraction, and postwar American art, securing his legacy as one of the most influential abstract artists of his generation.