Rivers, Larry | For Adults Only, 1971 — available on Composition Gallery

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Offset Color Lithograph on two sheets of Rives BFK paper - Signed, Titled and Dated

Larry Rivers’ For Adults Only is a provocative offset color lithograph created on two sheets of Rives BFK paper. The artwork presents a stylized figure of a woman standing confidently, dressed in lingerie with striking purple stockings, depicted in Rivers’ signature blending of realism and abstraction. The figure’s bold posture and the juxtaposition of colors evoke a sense of both intimacy and distance, typical of Rivers’ exploration of taboo subjects and his engagement with the human body. The backdrop, featuring a patterned wallpaper and a sofa, contrasts with the figure’s vibrant orange skin, adding layers of texture and visual complexity. Signed, titled, and dated by the artist, this limited edition print exemplifies Rivers’ daring approach to addressing adult themes with both humor and critique.

Larry Rivers (United States, 1923–2002) was a multifaceted artist whose work bridged Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. Initially a jazz saxophonist, he transitioned to visual arts, creating paintings and sculptures that often incorporated commercial imagery and cultural references. Rivers' innovative approach significantly influenced post-war American art.

Larry Rivers

For Adults Only, 1971

Name: For Adults Only, 1971
SKU: 13615
Price: 7200.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Form

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition PrintA limited edition print is one of a number of prints made at the same time from one printmaking plate. A fixed number are made and signed by the artist, indicating the printing order, using the format 1/10, meaning first of ten prints.

Medium

Offset Print

Offset PrintOffset lithography is a printing technique where the inked image is first transferred (offset) from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface. This method combines the lithographic process, which relies on the repulsion of water and oil, to keep non-printing areas ink-free by attracting a water-based film. Offset lithography was originally developed to reduce costs in reproducing artwork and is widely used for high-volume printing due to its efficiency and ability to produce sharp, consistent images.

Edition

Edition of 35

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●Inventory 13615

●Signed

Limited Edition Print

Screen-print

USD 1,875

Larry Rivers

Make Believe Ballroom, 1989

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition Print

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Any art communicates what you're in the mood to receive.
- Larry Rivers

Larry Rivers (b. 1923 USA, d. 2002 USA) was an influential American painter, sculptor, and filmmaker, often credited as a key figure in the development of Pop Art. Rivers' work is characterized by its bold use of color, dynamic compositions, and incorporation of everyday objects and popular culture references, blending abstraction with figuration in innovative ways. He began his career as a jazz musician before turning to painting in the late 1940s, studying under Hans Hofmann and becoming associated with the New York School. Rivers is best known for his works that juxtapose traditional artistic techniques with contemporary themes, such as his iconic Washington Crossing the Delaware (1953), which reinterprets the famous historical painting in a modern context. His art often challenged conventional boundaries, merging high art with popular imagery and exploring themes of history, identity, and politics. Rivers' work has been exhibited in major museums and galleries worldwide, and he remains a significant figure in the history of 20th-century American art. (Artist website)

Artwork by Willem de Kooning

What is Gestural?

Gestural art is a term that describes painting with freely sweeping brushstrokes. The primary goal of gestural art is to allow the artist to physically express emotional impulses. The varied, yet expressive paint marks are intended to convey the artist's inner thoughts and emotions, which viewers are believed to understand through the dynamic and spontaneous application of paint.

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Larry Rivers

For Adults Only, 1971

179.1 x 75.7 cm

Language & Currency

Larry Rivers