Unique cotton-pulp relief with collage and hand-colouring, on white and coloured HMP handmade paper, 1975, signed and dated in pencil, from the edition of 26 uniquely hand-coloured reliefs (there were also 14 trial proofs), published by Tyler Graphics, Ltd., New York, with their blindstamp, 64 x 54 cm. (25¼ x 21¼ in.)

The series ‘Paper Reliefs’ is based on the earlier ‘Polish Village Series’ (1971-73) with the use of relief elements to create the geometric structures which pay homage to the complex architecture of Soviet and Polish wooden synagogues from 16th, 17th and 18th century. The titles of the ‘Paper Reliefs’ are names of cities, settlements or districts where such synagogues were destroyed during the Holocaust. This series is not intended to be a memorial but rather a celebration of these beautiful, intricate structures and the skilful carpentry of the Jewish architects and craftsmen.

Stella and Master Printmaker, Ken Tyler of Tyler Graphics Ltd., collaborated with papermaking experts John and Kathleen Koller to make these ground-breaking reliefs. After the paper pulp was applied to the specific mould, Stella would work with the moulded paper reliefs whilst still wet to hand-colour the paper with dye, colour pulp and dry pigments. Once dry, he then hand-painted the geometric shapes within each of the 183 reliefs using acrylic, watercolour and metallic paints.

The present work ‘Grodno (I)’, along with the other five reliefs, was a breakthrough series for Frank Stella – it was the first insinuation of colour into paper and the achievement of relief in his prints.