Maxwell Stevens on Drawing as Palimpsest and Parallel Practice
In a conversation with Juliet Art Magazine, artist Maxwell Stevens, who hails from New York and was born in 1971 in Charleston, South Carolina, elaborates on his dedication to drawing as an independent form of visual expression. He points to the 2003 Met retrospective of Leonardo da Vinci as a significant source of inspiration, highlighting the importance of materials like parchment, vellum, and handmade cotton paper. On Instagram (@maxwellstevensdrawings), Stevens showcases his work in chronological series ranging from five to fifty pieces, often arranged in grids. Notable series feature figurative nudes and the abstract 'Vermillion Sets' (2011). He mentions the drawing market's high prices, citing a Michelangelo sketch that fetched $27 million and a Rembrandt drawing that sold for $18 million. Stevens is also planning limited-edition publications and exhibitions with Galleria Tilde in Palermo.
Key facts
- Maxwell Stevens was born in 1971 in Charleston, South Carolina, and is based in New York.
- He considers drawing the foundation of his practice, both as preparatory work and autonomous art.
- A 2003 Leonardo da Vinci retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was a major influence.
- Stevens uses materials like parchment, vellum, and handmade cotton paper for their materiality.
- His drawings are often palimpsests, with layers of ink, charcoal, and pastel, incorporating erasures and revisions.
- He maintains an Instagram account (@maxwellstevensdrawings) as a digital archive of his drawings.
- Stevens works in series of five to fifty drawings, often displayed as grids.
- Key series include figurative nudes and the abstract 'Vermillion Sets' (2011).
- He cites Tony Cragg, Frank Gehry, and Käthe Kollwitz as artists who prioritize drawing.
- A Michelangelo sketch sold for $27 million and a Rembrandt drawing for $18 million, indicating market value.
- Stevens is planning publications and exhibitions with Galleria Tilde in Palermo.
Entities
Artists
- Maxwell Stevens
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Tony Cragg
- Frank Gehry
- Käthe Kollwitz
- Franz Kline
- Mark Tobey
- Rembrandt
- Michelangelo
- Alan Lightman
Institutions
- Juliet Art Magazine
- Galleria Tilde
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Getty Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Galerie Bruno Massa
- Amy L. Brandt Art Collection
- Björn Ressle
Locations
- New York
- Charleston
- South Carolina
- Palermo
- Italy
- Gaza
- Ukraine
- Los Angeles