The Black and White Robe is an extreme rarity, even for Nagel's work. It's larger cousin, The Black Robe, is of course the same exact composition, stemming from the same original. That painting was owned by my boss, Michael Schwartz at Galerie Michael (still in existence on rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills). The painting hung in his fabulous apartment in the Wiltern Building on Wilshire Blvd. in LA, (the same historic old building where Nagel himself had a studio in 1980.)
This print was something of an oddity: it was smaller in both edition size and physical size than the colored version and it was never made available to the galleries. This was purchased directly from the 11th Street Gallery (MIrage's own funky gallery in Santa Monica)
What a fabulous print! Condition is rated 'fine'.......it's been framed, and it does bear some archival tape on the verso (the back in plain-speak), but as you may know, it's best to leave that on the print. It's offered unframed only.
We don't say this about many works of art, but the "Black and White Robe" can truly be considered investment-worthy.
For more on Nagel and his legacy on the history of graphic art, please visit our Nagel site by clicking here.
Tirage: Hand pulled Serigraph; one color with blind emboss 'platemark'. Printed 7/81 by Wasserman Silkscreen Co., "21x32" | Tirage: Edition of 25 signed & numbered; 5 signed A/Ps; 2 signed P/Ps
This is print #3 of the limited editiion of 25 arabic numerals — Listed Price: $2900.
ABOUT THE NAGEL LIMITED EDITION POSTERS
The limited edition POSTERS, only 34 titles in all, were created in extremely small editions sizes. The amounts varied with each image but averaged around 1500 sheets were 'pulled'. plus proofs. There were two 'versions' or what is termed 'states' in the art cmmunity, to each serigraphic poster—one state signed by Nagel in pencil; one state 'signed in screen' or to be exact, unsigned. Usually 250 were signed, 1250 unsigned.
In the world of rare posters, these would be considered posters, even still. The term normally refers to work of art on paper which has some kind of typography on it, what in antique poster terminology is called 'letters'. . Confusing? You bet...for more, visit our Nagel site by clicking here...
Ebay Bidders: CAVEAT EMPTOR:
Although many of the Nagels you see on eBay are correct, there is also an awful lot of misrepresentation (some of it is admittedly inadvertant) and fraudulent listings. Be careful if you're thinking of spending any serious money. For more on that subject, follow this link to our Nagel Site.