A particularly nice example of the modernist collage work of American artist Irma Rosenau.  Titled “Civilization” this c1950s mixed-media collage and watercolor depicts silhouettes of Grand Canyon mesas from across a river with rock formations in between.  In reference to Japanese scroll paintings, Rosenau has placed a collaged image of a cloud-like boulder at the center bottom of the work and created a “chop mark” monogram signature at bottom right.  Some of the collaged tissue creating the sky has a metallic, reflective quality.  Overall in very nice condition with some small, light rubs or tissue loss on the surface in spots.  Excellent, modernist burlap original frame shows some aging.  The collage is signed in ink below the monogram chop mark and signed in pencil on the frame back edge.  Additionally, Rosenau has place an address label on the verso.  Frame measures 32 1/8 x 17 1/8 inches with the artwork measuring 25 x 10 inches.

Irma Rosenau (1896-1972) American, born Chicago, studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, studied later in Philadelphia with Paulette Van Roekens and Edith Emerson, founding member of the Old York Road Art Guild (Abington Art Center) in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, exhibited with the Philadelphia Art Alliance, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Plastic Club, Abington Cultural Center and Woodmere Art Museum.  The Abington Art Center presents the Irma Rosenau Prize and Irma Rosneau Memorial in Painting Award.