Boy Playing Flute by Mervin Jules

This is an image of a young boy playing a flute, from a series of woodcuts depicting children playing musical instruments by noted American artist Mervin Jules. These were likely created in the the 1960s or 70s. Jules was a master of the woodcut. These works have between 8 and 12 colors, a great technical challenge for the artist. Of note, Jules uses the grain of the wood to add the texture of the black backdrop that frames the upper left of the image. In this series he uses different types of wood to create different textural effects for the image.
This print is an excellent example of his work and is in pristine condition. It is unusual in that it is not signed and there is no title. It is also printed on a lighter paper than other examples of this series we have handled. Other examples of this online have a signature lower right and the title Boy with Flute lower left, but none have an edition size. This could be a trial proof, but there is no doubt it is from the artist.
Mervin Jules 1912 – 1994
Mervin Jules is a prolific American artist. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His arts education took place in Baltimore including both Baltimore City College and the Maryland Institute College of Art. He took additional training at the Art Students League studying with among others Thomas Hart Benton.
He was recognized early on as being as exceptional talent with his first exhibition in 1935 at the Baltimore Museum of Art within a year of graduating at the ripe old age of 20. No less an authority than Duncan Phillips (Phillips Collection) displayed a painting by Jules also in 1935. He had his first one man show in New York City in 1937.
As might be expected, given the time period and nature of his training, his initial works presented a strong social commentary with elements of the American realism school. Perhaps showing the influence of Benton, his figures had aspects of caricature. He received some criticism for exhibiting such cynicism at such a young age, but his work clearly resonated with collectors and dealers alike as he actively exhibited throughout his life. While initially noted for his painting, he was an accomplished printmaker demonstrating proficiency with several different printmaking techniques, but with a particular affinity for woodcuts. He was an influential teacher holding many positions including the Museum of Modern Art in the mid-40s. His longest tenure was at Smith College (over 20 years), and he ended his teaching career as chair of the Art Department at the City College of New York.
It would be easier to list the museums that do not hold his work. Some of the most noteworthy including the aforementioned Phillips Collection, the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Chicago Art Institute, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Walker Art Center, and proving another Baltimorean Thomas Wolfe that you can go home again, the Baltimore Museum of Art. The latter has one of the most extensive collections of his prints.
Musical themes appealed to Jules, making him a favorite of Diverse Ayres. We have several examples of his woodcuts from the late 1970s that show children making music.

Size: 1960s
Price: $200
Size: 22 x 12 inches
Plate Size: 20 x 10 inches
Condition: Pristine
Medium: Wood Block Print
Subject: Music & Instruments

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