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Esphyr Slobodkina

Honoring the Life and Art of Esphyr Slobodkina

Esphyr Slobodkina was a pioneer of American abstract art. Her participation in the avant-garde activities and exhibitions of the 1930s & 40s helped achieve recognition for abstract art in the United States.

  • About the Founder
  • Fine Art
    • Art Through the Decades
    • Essays
  • Children’s Books
  • Educational Programs
  • Caps for Sale Series
  • Exhibitions

The Caps for Sale & Other Great Tales

Curated by the Slobodkina Foundation, Caps for Sale & Great Other Tales: The History of a Storybook and its Maker, explores the early life and work of Esphyr Slobodkina (1908-2002), a founding member of the influential American Abstract Artists, and the fascinating story behind the making of Caps for Sale and other Slobodkina books illustrated using collage technique. It is the first exhibition undertaken on Slobodkina which focuses on her work as an author and illustrator, and her abstract influences on the American children’s book.


Exhibits: Decades: Art Types:


Portrait Of A Lady
1924
Drawing
Pencil on ledger paper

Cornelia Street Bedroom
1933
Painting
Oil on canvas

Boats At Dock
1933
Painting
Oil on canvas

Landscape At Yaddo
1934
Painting
Oil on canvas

Flowers In The Sink
1934
Painting
Oil on canvas

Fashion Sketch
1936
Drawing
Ink on paper
Mary and the Poodies
Mary And The Poodies
1937
Collage
Cloth

Caps For Sale Original Illustration
1939
Illustration
Watercolor and paper collage

Fashion Sketch
1940s
Drawing
Pencil on paper

Thrust No. 1
1947
Assemblage, Construction
Wood and metal
Copper Interests
Copper Interests (Copper Treasures)
1948
Collage
Paper on paper
Crossroads
Crossroads
1948
Collage
Paper and foil collage
Shopping Industry
Shopping Industry
1948
Collage

Levitator
Levitator
1950
Painting
Oil on gessoed plywood
The Indomitable Bird Of Stainless Virtue
The Indomitable Bird of Stainless Virtue
1960
Assemblage, Sculpture
Mixed media construction

Deus Ex Machina (Study)
1960
Working Drawing
Pencil on tracing paper taped on graph paper
Escape No. 2
Escape No. 2
1960
Assemblage, Sculpture
Metal and wood construction

Deus Ex Machina (Oil Study)
1961
Painting
Oil on gessoed Masonite

The Flame, The Breeze, And The Shadow (Book Jacket Alternative Title: Mr. Choo And The 3 Manchoo Riddles )
1966
Drawing
watercolor on construction board

The Flame, The Breeze, And The Shadow (Book Jacket Alternative)
1966
Drawing
Book jacket, watercolor on construction board
Celebration No. 2
Celebration No. 2
1970
Collage
Textured fabric on wood
Celebration No. 1
Celebration No. 1
1970
Collage
Multi-media wall construction paper on
Offshore Installation
Offshore Installation
1974
Assemblage, Sculpture
Multi-media construction

Billy The Condominium Cat (Illustration Fig. 8)
1977
Illustration
Ink and paste-up on illustration board
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