The Trees by Leroy Bernard Schwan

This is a colorful, quirky, whimsical woodblock print called The Trees, but LeRoy Bernard Schwan. It is from 1958. It has a bold graphic design and vibrant colors. The 4 trees depicted are stylized yet seem to be bending to a strong wind from the left of the image. This is enhanced by the bold black marks in the blue sky that gives the image energy and motion. There's a certain naïve quality to it, but it is the work of a fine printmaker. To top it off, it is framed in a rustic, blue wooden frame that suits the piece very well. The mat and backing are not archival. The framed size is 29 x 22.75 inches. The artist has signed it in pencil Leroy B. Schwan lower right. No edition is given, but it is described as a Woodcut and dated 1958. The title is in pencil lower left. The piece appears in very good condition. There is no fading, paper loss, toning, tears or other visible damage. There is some waviness in the paper, but this should be fixable if the piece was remounted. Nothing appears permanent, although I have not examined the piece out of the frame. It's just a very cool mid-century piece.

LeRoy Bernard Schwan is an artist and educator well known for his drawings of the St. Croix Valley in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He was born in Somerset, Wisconsin in 1932. He was a student at Wisconsin State University-River Falls, although appears to have left to serve in the Army. He completed his education at the , University Minnesota, receiving a Bachelor of Science in 1958 and a Master of Education in 1960. Upon his retirement from teaching, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of Education by the University Iowa in 1988. He taught in public schools and Universities including appointments as Assistant professor of Art Northern Michigan University, Marquette, 1964-1966, Assistant professor of Art Mankato (Minnesota) State College, 1966-1971 with promotion to Associate Professor, 1971-1974. In 1974 he left the University to serve as the Director of art education for the Quincy (Illinois) Public Schools, 1974-1978, and continued to teach art in Quincy until his retirement in 1988. One of his most notable accomplishments was the development of art programs for children with intellectual disabilities in south-central Minnesota and the Twin Cities. He had numerous solo and group shows in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. His work was also included in a group exhibit at the Pentagon in Washington, D. C. He was described as the Polk County (Wisconsin) Historical Society’s “in house” artist.

Size: 1958
Price: $215
Framed Size: 29 x 22.75 inches
Plate Size: 18 x 11.5 inches
Condition: Very Good
Medium: Wood Block Print
Subject: Landscape

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