Whatever Magic from the collection of Villanova University Art Collection

Viewing artist Samuel Maitin Clear context

Samuel Maitin

Whatever Magic

Lithograph

26 x 20 in

Edition. 42/200

Signature: Signed, numbered 42/200 and annotated "JDF 10th Anniversary" at lower left

Inv: 1996-LITH-034

Available

Maitin created this print for the 10th Anniversary of The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, in part to celebrate the recent technical, medical, and biological advancements of treatment for diabetes. To convey this hope he incorporated a white dove that sails across the paper. There are ten abstract feathers which represent the ten years of work achieved by the JDF.

Maitin paired this visual with a verse from a poem by John Ciardi, which Maitin himself dubbed “beautifully appropriate” in a letter he typed, signed, and attached to the back of this work. Similar to Maitin’s beliefs with art, Ciardi was strongly in favor of exposing poetry to mass audiences instead of creating art for the cultural elite. He consciously sought to address the average reader. Also, like Maitin, Ciardi used his work to play and connect with his children.

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From Villanova University Art Collection

Samuel Maitin

Olympics, 1980, 1980

Seriograph

35.5 x 23.5 in
Samuel Maitin

Untitled, 1976, 1976

oil and graphite on canvas

32 x 48 in
Samuel Maitin

Samuel Fleisher Art Memorial Exhibition Print, 1971

Lithograph

11.5 x 7.25 in
Samuel Maitin

Thank You Again, 1970

Silkscreen

16.5 x 21.25 in
Samuel Maitin

Philadelphia, Civic Center, 1967, 1967

Lithograph

40.125 x 26.125 in
Samuel Maitin

Mirro (Mino) For Mrs. G Number Three, 1966, 1966

Serigraph

29 x 20 in
Samuel Maitin

Sindelir Gallery Exhibition Poster, 1965

Lithograph

19 x 15.5 in
Samuel Maitin

Untitled (Ceiling Tile)

Acrylic, watercolor, wood and paper on linen mounted to drywall tile

23 x 23 in

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About the artist

Samuel Maitin

1928-2004

Sam Maitin (1928-2004) was an American painter, sculptor, printmaker, muralist, graphic designer, teacher, and political activist. Known as Philadelphia's unofficial "Mayor of the Arts", Maitin attended the Pennsylvania Museum School of Industrial Arts (later changed to University of the Arts) before working at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School of Communication, Woodmere Museum, and more.

Common visual themes among Maitin's work include geometric shapes, bright and unblended colors, and the occasional addition of text. His work is in the permanent collection of several museums throughout Europe and the United States.

Additional Artworks

Olympics, 1980, 1980

Untitled, 1976, 1976

Samuel Fleisher Art Memorial Exhibition Print, 1971

Thank You Again, 1970

Philadelphia, Civic Center, 1967, 1967

Mirro (Mino) For Mrs. G Number Three, 1966, 1966

Sindelir Gallery Exhibition Poster, 1965

Untitled (Ceiling Tile)

About the artist

Samuel Maitin