s3e30 on being a beloved National Gallery curator with Ruth Fine

In Platemark s3e30, host Ann Shafer speaks with Ruth Fine, retired curator from the National Gallery of Art. Ruth was curator of modern prints and drawings there from 1980–2002, followed by an additional period working on special projects in modern art. Since her retirement in 2010, Ruth has been working on exhibition and writing projects, as well as sitting on the boards of the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation, the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, and others.

As we are releasing this episode, Ruth has an exhibition up at the Phillips Collection featuring the photographic output of Frank Stewart. The show is up June 10–September 3, 2023.

Ruth is not only a consummate scholar, but also is an artist herself, bringing to her scholarship a deep understanding of making. She knew well many of the artists who were the subjects of her projects and she has wonderful stories to tell.

Join our new FB group to talk about prints, printmaking, and Platemark: https://www.facebook.com/groups/234857906002771

Episode image © Frank Stewart

Lessing Rosenwald’s residence Alverthorpe in Jenkintown, PA, now houses the Abington Art Center.

The catalogue raisonné of the print workshop Gemini G.E.L. at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Mary Lee Corlett and Ruth Fine. The Prints of Roy Lichtenstein: A Catalogue Raisonné 1948–1993. Washington D.C.: National Gallery of Art, 1994.

Ruth Fine and Robert Looney. The Prints of Benton Murdoch Spruance: A Catalogue Raisonné. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1986.

David Bindman et al. Body Language: The Art of Larry Day. Exh cat. Woodmere Art Museum. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2021.

Ruth Fine et al. Frank Stewart’s Nexus: An American Photographer’s Journey, 1960s to the Present. Exh cat. The Phillips Collection. New York: Rizzoli, 2023.

Helen Frankenthaler (American, 1928–2011). Untitled, 1967. Four-color screenprint. 25 3/4 x 17 7/8 in. (65.4 x 45.4 cm.). © 2023 Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY / Chiron Press, NY.

Helen Frankenthaler (American, 1928–2011). Grove, 1991. Ten-color woodcut. 38 ½ x 25 ½ in. (97.8 x 64.8 cm.). © 2023 Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY / Garner Tullis, NY.

Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923–1997). Storming the Castle, 1950. Etching, aquatint, and engraving. Sheet: 16 ¼ x 22 ¾ in. (41.3 x 57.8 cm.); plate: 11 7/8 x 15 15/16 in. (30.2 x 40.5 cm.). © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein.

Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923–1997). Published by Gemini G.E.L. The Student, from the series Expressionist Woodcut, 1980. Color woodcut with debossing. Sheet: 97.5 x 86 cm. (38 1/4 x 34 in.); image: 80.6 x 69.2 cm. (31 3/4 x 27 1/4 in.). © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein.

Frank Stewart (American, born 1949). Alma W. Thomas, 1976. Gelatin silver print. Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick, Maine, Museum Purchase, Gridley W. Tarbell II Fund. © Frank Stewart.

Frank Stewart (American, born 1949). The Bow, Modena, Italy, 1996. Inkjet print. Andre Kimo Stone Guess and Cheryl Peterson Guess Family Collection, Louisville, KY. © Frank Stewart.

Frank Stewart (American, born 1949). Tailor Shop, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, 1974. Gelatin silver print. Sing Lathan and Bining Taylor. © Frank Stewart.

Frank Stewart (American, born 1949). Three Young Camels, Mali, 2006. George Nelson Preston, Museum of Art and Origins, New York. © Frank Stewart.

Frank Stewart (American, born 1949). Radio Players Series, 1978. Gelatin silver print. Sing Lathan and Bining Taylor. © Frank Stewart.

USEFUL LINKS:

Link to Frank Stewart exhibition at the Phillips Collection: https://www.phillipscollection.org/event/2023-06-10-frank-stewarts-nexus

YouTube video with Ruth Fine and TK Smith in the exhibition The Art of Larry Day: https://youtu.be/Ao6Rgn6jhok

YouTube video of Ruth Fine’s talk on Larry Day at the Woodmere Art Museum: https://youtu.be/MamE6rbOuMg

Platemark is produced by Ann Shafer
Theme music: Michael Diamond
Audio mixing: Dan Fury, Extension Audio
PR and Marketing: Elizabeth Berger, EYB Creates