Ivy League 1953

Stuart Davis's "Ivy League" is a screenprint using inks on paper. It's an image conjured from the industrial landscape. Davis, very interested in the built environment, used his artworks to reflect the modern world around him, in all its industrial grit and geometric forms. The process of screenprinting, which involves pushing ink through a stenciled screen, gives the image its flat planes of color and sharp edges. The effect is bold and graphic. The black lines, orange square, and blue diamond all sit on the surface, almost like signage or a map. Davis’s approach reflects a modern sensibility, embracing industrial processes to evoke the pulse of urban life. In doing so, he challenges the traditional hierarchy that separates fine art from commercial design. Thinking about material, process, and social context helps us to understand the rich layers of meaning in this print, reflecting Davis's fascination with the everyday.