Image size 22" x 14", pen & ink on artist's stock, a poster announcing a harpsichord concert at Drew University on November Ist, 1967 at Bowne Lecture Hall.
I remember 1967 as a fascinating year spent in the Art Department of Drew University at Madison, New Jersey. That year I did some artwork for WERD, the college radio station and also published some pen and ink drawings in "Columns," the college literary magazine. Mary E. Davies acted as Editor-in-Chief for the magazine and provided great encouragement regarding the inclusion of pen & ink drawings for the Fall/ Winter 1967-1968 issue. My friend and fellow artist Regina Schwartzman created some lovely graphics for the magazine's cover. There were many concerts occurring throughout the year and somehow I was asked to design some trendy, eye-catching posters to advertise the upcoming events. One such concert was this one with harpsichordist Robert Smith, for which I still have the original artwork as shown here. I recall another concert poster which featured some modern art graphics in the shape of a guitar or stringed instrument, but sadly that artwork was stolen just before I was able to retrieve it from the bulletin board at the University Center. At least I was able to save this particular piece for my own collection. In the lower left corner are the initials "M. W." indicating that the Center approved the artwork for posting on the announcement board. Someone at the time hinted that this may indeed be the signature of Martha Washington, but I remain somewhat unconvinced of that particular claim.
Bowne Lecture Hall was originally built in the 1920's or 30's as a gymnasium with a large pool in the basement area. Athletic Coach Harry Simester showed us the remnants of the pool area and gave us a tour of the building when we first arrived as new students on campus. The entire building was renovated as a concert hall with a spacious main hall, a large second story balcony, and a pretty impressive stage up front. I think that Drew eventually allowed the New Jersey Shakespeare Company to perform there on a regular basis. As I have not been back to the campus since graduation in 1970, I am not sure how the building is presently used.
Bowne Lecture Hall was originally built in the 1920's or 30's as a gymnasium with a large pool in the basement area. Athletic Coach Harry Simester showed us the remnants of the pool area and gave us a tour of the building when we first arrived as new students on campus. The entire building was renovated as a concert hall with a spacious main hall, a large second story balcony, and a pretty impressive stage up front. I think that Drew eventually allowed the New Jersey Shakespeare Company to perform there on a regular basis. As I have not been back to the campus since graduation in 1970, I am not sure how the building is presently used.
Detail section of pen & ink poster, approximate area shown about 9" x 6". I remember this taking a lot of time to produce due to the extravagant amount of detail.
I went to the Drew Library to find some photographs featuring the interiors of the great cathedrals of Europe. There were many examples and I found several that I wished to emulate in their ornate beauty and splendor of architectural detail. For this drawing I chose an elaborately decorative ornamental gate leading to the interior where the pipe organ sits aloft in the background. The perspective leads the viewer's eye into the interior, allowing for the height of the ceiling to display some of the required details as well as providing some artistic development suitable to the overall scene. The clock is set at 4:00 PM afternoon time, perfect for the shining sun to glorify the stained glass windows.
Detailed section of pen & ink drawing, approximate size 6" x 6", showing the pipe organ, clock and ornamentation.
Detail section of pen & ink drawing, approximate size 10.5" x 7", showing the ceiling area and some of the main concert information.
Detail section of pen & ink drawing, approximate size 5" x 7", showing some of the lettering which I designed myself instead of copying an existing style.
Pen & ink detail, approximate size 7" x 5", showing the lower left-hand section.
Pen & ink detail section, approximately 10" x 7", showing the harpsichord in front of the ornamental gate. I found a nice selection of books illustrating musical instruments, but my pen was unable to articulate the full detail needed for the keyboard. So one must use a bit of imagination to envision a real harpsichord on stage.
Detail section of pen & ink drawing, approximate size 11" x 8", showing the foreground and middle ground with some lettering on the right.
Pen & ink detail section, approximate size 11" x 8", showing a bit more detail in the lettering and design.
Detail section of pen & ink drawing, approximate size 3" x 4", showing the pipe organ and stained glass window in the rear of the church.
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