Frank Stella is an essential figure in the evolution of 20th century abstraction. He is considered the most influential American painter from the generation that abandoned and surpassed Abstract Expressionism. 

Frank Stella became a printmaker in 1967 at Gemini G.E.L. (one of the top American printing studios). After his two previous groups of prints, "Star of Persia" and "", Stella created a third body of prints, the “V series” that recalled his iconic geometric shaped canvases. 

The titles of his "V Series" of lithographs were derived from the names of historic ships, which themselves came from the world of flora and fauna. According to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, “Itata” is both a Chilean ship and a South American spider.

With “Itata”, he experimented with the optical effect of contrasting bold colors and geometric forms. Essential to Stella's practice, there is no allusion to narrative, the unconscious or symbolism within his work. His lithograph forces the viewer to pay attention and simply enjoy. As Stella famously said "What you see is what you get"

“Itata” can be found in many important museum collections around the world including the , the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the MET and the Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam) to mention a few. 

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"Itata"

Signed, dated and numbered 'A.P. XI' by the artist

Lithograph in colors, on Lowell paper

Published by Gemini G.E.L. Inc., Los Angeles (with their blindstamps)

USA, 1968

16"H 22"W (sheet)

Minor ink fading upper right. Detailed condition report by request. 

Literature: Richard Axsom and Leah Kolb (2016), The Prints of Frank Stella: A Catalogue Raisonné 1967-1982, Axsom, pl.23, pg. 55 [1983].