“Interaction,” Peggy Bendell, c.1970s hand-pulled lithograph 24×24 in., signed & numbered 40/40 of 200, bold Op-Art concentric design.
This vibrant Peggy Bendell limited-edition lithograph features a hypnotic concentric design of red, black, and white rings encircling an intricate inner maze of geometric forms. Signed and uniquely numbered 40/40 of 200, the work embodies Bendell’s mastery of graphic precision and Op-Art movement, produced during her transition from commercial design to fine-art printmaking. From the retired Mitch Morse Gallery collection, it remains in excellent vintage condition.
Artwork Description
This “Interaction” lithograph by Peggy Bendell is a commanding example of American geometric abstraction and Op-Art sensibilities of the 1960s–1970s. The work is structured around a powerful concentric-circle motif: a vivid red central ring surrounded by alternating black-and-white bands, each decorated with distinct linear and angular graphic patterns. At the center lies a dense, labyrinth-like assemblage of interlocking shapes, giving the impression of circuitry, tribal patterning, and architectural blueprint all at once.
The composition creates a strong optical pull, guiding the viewer inward through layered zones of symmetry and contrast. Bendell’s background in professional graphic arts is evident in her flawless linework, crisp edges, and thoughtful distribution of positive and negative space. Unlike minimalist targets or purely optical pieces, this print adds a layer of complexity through the inner patterned ring, giving the work a narrative sense of depth and coded visual language.
Executed as a hand-drawn, hand-pulled lithograph, the piece shows the nuances of traditional printmaking techniques—matte pigments, clean plate impressions, and elegant ink saturation. The sheet measures 24×24 inches, with the edition marked in graphite as 40/40 of 200 and signed “P. Bendell” at lower right. Never framed or displayed, it retains its clean, original condition.
This lithograph reflects Bendell’s exploration of modernist geometry and design psychology, blending the clarity of commercial graphic logic with the expressive energy of fine-art abstraction.
Artist Biography — Peggy Bendell
Peggy Bendell is an American graphic artist and printmaker whose career bridges commercial design, editorial illustration, and fine-art printmaking. She studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, graduating in 1966 from a program known for rigorous classical training and its strong ties to professional advertising and illustration fields.
Her early career saw her work published in major national design and industry journals including Print, Graphic, Illustrators, and Art Direction—a testament to her mastery of line, form, and modernist composition. This exposure positioned her within a generation of artists who brought precision graphic vocabulary into the expanding world of fine-art prints.
Bendell’s move into limited-edition lithography in the late 1960s and early 1970s coincided with the cultural surge of Op-Art, hard-edge abstraction, and modular design systems. Her prints reflect the influence of this period: a focus on geometric structure, optical rhythm, and visual tension. She was known for creating works that were both mathematically crisp and artistically expressive, merging the rigor of commercial design with the emotional resonance of fine-art abstraction.
Her work has been recognized by and included in the Permanent Collection of the American Academy of Art, affirming her contribution to mid-century American graphic art and the evolution of fine-art lithography. Today, her limited-edition prints remain scarce and desirable, particularly among collectors of Op-Art, graphic modernism, and mid-century printmaking.
Concise Auction Listing
Peggy Bendell, Interaction, c.1970s, hand-pulled lithograph, 24×24 in., pencil-signed and numbered 40/40 of 200. Excellent, never-framed vintage condition. Provenance: Mitch Morse Gallery, NYC; Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.
Certificate of Value & Authentication
Artist: Peggy Bendell (American, active mid–late 20th century)
Title: Interaction
Date: c.1970s
Medium: Original hand-drawn, hand-pulled lithograph
Dimensions: 24 × 24 inches
Edition: 40/40 of 200
Signature: Hand-signed by the artist in graphite; edition annotated lower left
Condition: Excellent vintage condition; no fading, clean surface, never framed or displayed
Provenance:
– Mitch Morse Gallery, NYC
– Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner)
This certificate affirms that the artwork described above is an authentic, limited-edition lithograph created, signed, and numbered by Peggy Bendell.
Provenance Chain (Collector-Formatted)
Mitch Morse Gallery, New York, NY (acquired directly in NYC)
→ Private Gallery Holdings
→ Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner)
“Interaction,” Peggy Bendell, c.1970s hand-pulled lithograph 24×24 in., signed & numbered 40/40 of 200, bold Op-Art concentric design.
This vibrant Peggy Bendell limited-edition lithograph features a hypnotic concentric design of red, black, and white rings encircling an intricate inner maze of geometric forms. Signed and uniquely numbered 40/40 of 200, the work embodies Bendell’s mastery of graphic precision and Op-Art movement, produced during her transition from commercial design to fine-art printmaking. From the retired Mitch Morse Gallery collection, it remains in excellent vintage condition.
Artwork Description
This “Interaction” lithograph by Peggy Bendell is a commanding example of American geometric abstraction and Op-Art sensibilities of the 1960s–1970s. The work is structured around a powerful concentric-circle motif: a vivid red central ring surrounded by alternating black-and-white bands, each decorated with distinct linear and angular graphic patterns. At the center lies a dense, labyrinth-like assemblage of interlocking shapes, giving the impression of circuitry, tribal patterning, and architectural blueprint all at once.
The composition creates a strong optical pull, guiding the viewer inward through layered zones of symmetry and contrast. Bendell’s background in professional graphic arts is evident in her flawless linework, crisp edges, and thoughtful distribution of positive and negative space. Unlike minimalist targets or purely optical pieces, this print adds a layer of complexity through the inner patterned ring, giving the work a narrative sense of depth and coded visual language.
Executed as a hand-drawn, hand-pulled lithograph, the piece shows the nuances of traditional printmaking techniques—matte pigments, clean plate impressions, and elegant ink saturation. The sheet measures 24×24 inches, with the edition marked in graphite as 40/40 of 200 and signed “P. Bendell” at lower right. Never framed or displayed, it retains its clean, original condition.
This lithograph reflects Bendell’s exploration of modernist geometry and design psychology, blending the clarity of commercial graphic logic with the expressive energy of fine-art abstraction.
Artist Biography — Peggy Bendell
Peggy Bendell is an American graphic artist and printmaker whose career bridges commercial design, editorial illustration, and fine-art printmaking. She studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, graduating in 1966 from a program known for rigorous classical training and its strong ties to professional advertising and illustration fields.
Her early career saw her work published in major national design and industry journals including Print, Graphic, Illustrators, and Art Direction—a testament to her mastery of line, form, and modernist composition. This exposure positioned her within a generation of artists who brought precision graphic vocabulary into the expanding world of fine-art prints.
Bendell’s move into limited-edition lithography in the late 1960s and early 1970s coincided with the cultural surge of Op-Art, hard-edge abstraction, and modular design systems. Her prints reflect the influence of this period: a focus on geometric structure, optical rhythm, and visual tension. She was known for creating works that were both mathematically crisp and artistically expressive, merging the rigor of commercial design with the emotional resonance of fine-art abstraction.
Her work has been recognized by and included in the Permanent Collection of the American Academy of Art, affirming her contribution to mid-century American graphic art and the evolution of fine-art lithography. Today, her limited-edition prints remain scarce and desirable, particularly among collectors of Op-Art, graphic modernism, and mid-century printmaking.
Concise Auction Listing
Peggy Bendell, Interaction, c.1970s, hand-pulled lithograph, 24×24 in., pencil-signed and numbered 40/40 of 200. Excellent, never-framed vintage condition. Provenance: Mitch Morse Gallery, NYC; Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.
Certificate of Value & Authentication
Artist: Peggy Bendell (American, active mid–late 20th century)
Title: Interaction
Date: c.1970s
Medium: Original hand-drawn, hand-pulled lithograph
Dimensions: 24 × 24 inches
Edition: 40/40 of 200
Signature: Hand-signed by the artist in graphite; edition annotated lower left
Condition: Excellent vintage condition; no fading, clean surface, never framed or displayed
Provenance:
– Mitch Morse Gallery, NYC
– Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner)
This certificate affirms that the artwork described above is an authentic, limited-edition lithograph created, signed, and numbered by Peggy Bendell.
Provenance Chain (Collector-Formatted)
Mitch Morse Gallery, New York, NY (acquired directly in NYC)
→ Private Gallery Holdings
→ Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner)
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