Very Rare 1956 DIVEDCO poster, by José MeléndezContreras (Naguabo, P.R., 1921 - Bayamón, P.R., 1998), announcing the Concursode Pintura, scheduled to take place in the Ateneo Puertorriqueño betweenDecember 16, 1955 and December 30, 1956.
It also solicits works from other artists (and maybe eventhe general public) to be sent between November 14 - 21, 1955…“Tema Libre”
Please note: I do not think the “signature” in the border atthe bottom right-hand side of the poster is his but I cant be sure. Right above it is an encircled “M” which Ihave not been able to find in his artwork posted on-line but I know he is theartist of this poster from the website puertricoposter
This is the bio of the artist from this same website:
“José Meléndez Contreras studied painting at the Universityof Puerto Rico. As recipient of a scholarship in 1947 from the government ofPuerto Rico, Meléndez Contreras entered the Cincinnati Academy of Art, where hestudied under Louis Bouché and Josef Albers. On his return to the island in1952 he joined the Graphic Arts Workshop at DivEdCo as a book and posterdesigner, and he worked there until 1977. He was part of the renowned group ofartists of the “Fifties Generation” who took print- and poster-making techniqueto extraordinary heights. He and Rafael Tufiño created one of the firstportfolios of prints based on Puerto Rican literature – Los Casos de Ignacio ySantiago. His solo work shows a particular emphasis on form, which the artistreduces to line and color. His use of geometry to synthesize shapes reflectsthe influence of the Cubism.”
Meléndez Contreras created this piece when he was around 34years of age, 8 years after entering the Cincinnati Academy of Art and 3 yearsinto his collaboration with DIVEDCO.
The artwork is dominated by deep red wine colored background (unfortunately it looks like the color rust rust in the photos) black, and yellow,with the “Tema Libre” standing out in a royal blue quadrilateral.Lettering is done in rayal blue, yellow, black and white, including theinformation of the sponsorof the event, DIVEDCO, at the bottom.
Dimensions 31 ½ in x 19 in
Condition: Thisposter is almost 70 years and is in remarkable condition for it's age.
The main condition issues are around the border (smalltears, creases, and foxing) which do not affect the artwork.
In the artwork itself, there are 2 scratches in the blackpaint located above the “UR” in Concurso (pics #3 and 11), a crease approx. 6 inches long, from left to right, around themiddle of the painting, cutting through the tall man's head and the middle ofthe word “Ateneo”. (pics 5 and 6 # ), and a 4 inch-ling crease at the top left-hand side just above the frame. (Pics # 1 and 2)
Right above the "N" in Ateneo, is a scratch in the shape of anupside-down U that looks like a tear but it does not go through to the back. Pics # 5,6,8,10). Other imperfections that look like scratches, are pencil marks, e.g. the other marks around the "P"
Note: The ”scratches under the letter “P” are inherent tothe piece.
Please feel free to ask me for specific photos like close ups, not included in the listing.
It will be wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and sent in aposter tube.Sorry, no returns on posters given how easy it is todamage them if mishandled. I must becontacted within 24 hours and a pic sent, if you find an issue with the poster,upon arrival, that I haven't mentioned above.
Please contact me with any questions before committing topurchaseand happy eBaying! I can send additional pictures uponrequest.
