The exhibition, City Views, features Benton Spruance’s (1904-1967) early lithographs of the 1930s on loan from the Print and Picture Collection of the Free Library of Philadelphia. The prints depict a variety of architectural forms, including recognizable Philadelphia skyscrapers and residential structures in Spruance’s Germantown neighborhood. While the homes and churches Spruance depicts are mainly historic, his approach to design and his attitude towards the neighborhood were rooted in the present.

The style of Spruance’s work of the 1930s is very much akin to that of Social Realists and artists of the American Scene, such as Thomas Hart Benton. Although he never worked for the Works Progress Administration, a certain kinship can be seen in his concern for the state of the world around him. Spruance was a mentor to other printmakers who migrated to Germantown and learned from his technical handling of the lithographic medium. A committed activist, Spruance was a founder of the Philadelphia chapter of Artist’s Equity and was instrumental in establishing the 1% for art program in Philadelphia.

Loans for this exhibition courtesy of The Print and Picture Collection of the Free Library of Philadelphia, Dolan/Maxwell, and Ted and Stevie Wolf.

Free public programming for this exhibition:

Public reception, January 27, 5-7 PM

Spruance/Germantown community story-sharing event, February 10, 4-5 PM, Renaissance Gallery

Spruance in context, lecture by Doug Paschall, March 3, 12:30-1:30 PM, Holroyd 290

The La Salle University Art Museum is located on the lower level of Olney Hall on the campus of La Salle University at 19th St. and Olney Ave. Hours are 10 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday and Sundays, 2-4 PM by appointment. Admission is free, though donations are accepted. Please call to schedule group visits. Special tours can be arranged. For further information call 215-951-1221 or visit our website at http://www.lasalle.edu/museum/.