Artist: Ivan Messenger – American (1895 - 1983) Title: Thaia and her Quints Year: circa 1930 – printed by Lynton Kistler Medium: Lithograph on wove ivory paper Image size: 13.5 x 17.25 inches. Sheet size: 19 x 24 inches Signature: Signed lower right Edition size: unknown - limited Condition: Very good Unframed This lithograph was created by Ivan Messenger and printed by Lynton Kistler, probably in the 1930s. Kistler was a noted lithographer in Los Angeles. He was interviewed as part of UCLA’s Oral History Program in 1987. In the interview he mentions that he worked with Ivan Messenger in the 1930s. The print bears Kistler’s blindstamp. The print is in very good condition with some minor flaws. It has wide margins and that is where the flaws are. There is a faint, small discoloration or stain in the upper right margin 2 inches from the plate. There is a ½ inch tear on the upper left edge of the sheet. There is a faint crease in the lower left corner 2.5 x 2.5 inches. Please see pictures. Ivan Messenger is best known as a lithographer and painter. Born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1895, Ivan Messenger earned an M.A. from Stanford University in 1921. In 1926, he held his first solo exhibition and later taught at San Diego State University and held classes in life drawing in Balboa Park’s Fine Art Gallery. His most productive period was prior to 1945. He was a watercolorist who was equally facile with pastels, crayon, gouache, ink, gesso and oil. He is also known for his paintings of the desert and back country near San Diego. He was a member of the Laguna Beach Art Association, California Watercolor Society. Exhibited: California Watercolor Society from 1926 California State Fair – 1930 Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) American Painters and Sculptors 1931 Oakland Art Gallery 1932 California-Pacific International Exposition, San Diego 1935 Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE) 1939 Source: Artists in California 1786-1940. Edan Hughes, 2002