Saturn, Audrey Grendahl Kuhn (1929–2024), c.1970s, intaglio etching, 22x22 in, signed & numbered 1/100, embossed modernist print
A rare early impression of Saturn by Audrey Grendahl Kuhn, numbered 1/100 and hand-signed in pencil. This 22 x 22 inch intaglio etching features rich textural embossing and a circular cosmic composition rendered in warm copper, umber, and burnt sienna tones. Created during Kuhn’s mature printmaking period, the work reflects her mastery of intaglio processes and her exploration of symbolic abstraction.
Artwork Description
Saturn is a compelling circular intaglio composition centered within a broad square sheet, framed by concentric blind-embossed rings that radiate outward like planetary orbits. The central medallion presents an intricate abstract arrangement of organic and planetary forms—coiled fibers, textured surfaces, and spherical shapes—suggesting both celestial bodies and terrestrial fragments.
Executed in warm earth tones—burnt orange, copper, sienna, charcoal, and ivory—the plate reveals a dense interplay of etched line, crosshatching, and relief embossing. Kuhn’s intaglio technique creates dimensional depth; raised areas catch the light while recessed lines retain rich ink deposits. The tactile surface is integral to the work’s impact, emphasizing her use of a one-ton press to achieve embossed articulation.
The title Saturn references both astronomy and mythology. Rather than literal depiction, Kuhn offers a symbolic interpretation—cycles, rings, orbit, and cosmic layering. The circular composition reinforces themes of continuity and containment, while the fibrous central form suggests growth, nesting, or planetary core energy.
Signed Audrey Grendahl Kuhn in pencil lower margin and numbered 1/100, this is a desirable first-edition impression. The deckled sheet and concentric blind embossing demonstrate careful studio craftsmanship typical of her 1970s printmaking practice.
Artist Biography
Audrey Grendahl Kuhn (1929–2024) was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Detroit. She graduated from the University of Michigan, College of Architecture and Design, earning a Bachelor of Design in 1952 with a focus in advertising and interior design. She later pursued advanced art studies at Skidmore College, Russell Sage College, and the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York, earning permanent certification to teach art.
Her professional career began in the corporate design world as a graphic artist for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan (1952–1956), followed by work as Assistant to the Art Director in Public Relations Publications. After relocating to New York State, she worked as a graphic artist for Shenendehowa High School and later served as an art teacher at Shenendehowa Central School in Clifton Park. She also worked as a part-time interior designer with Concept 2000 Interiors in Albany.
Kuhn exhibited widely throughout the Capital Region of New York, including the SUNY Construction Fund in Albany, RPI Cultural Center in Troy, Mohawk-Hudson Regional exhibitions, Saratoga Art Fair, Schenectady Museum, and numerous one- and two-woman shows during the 1970s. She received First Prize in Graphics at the Albany Artists Tent Show (1976) and First Prize at the Shenendehowa Arts Festival (1976), along with additional honors including Honorable Mention at the Lower Adirondack Regional exhibition.
She was a member of Graphic Artists, Treasurer for the Capital District; the Schenectady Museum Designer-Crafts Council; the New York State Art Teachers Association; Oak Room Artists; and the Lower Adirondack Region Council on the Arts. Her work was represented by the Schenectady Museum Sales-Rental Gallery, Albany Institute of History and Art Sales-Rental Gallery, Concept 2000 Interiors, and Dayspring Graphics in Saratoga Springs.
Kuhn’s early artistic focus included Chinese brush painting before she developed a strong affinity for graphic multiples, lithographs, and serigraphs incorporating intaglio embossing. Her large studio housed a one-ton press, which she used to create deeply embossed prints such as Saturn. She gained broader recognition during the 1980s, including attention at the New York Art Expo. Later in life, she expanded into wearable textile art and pastel painting. She was listed in several Who’s Who publications and Who’s Who in American Art, and was a juried member of the Pastel Society of America.
In later years, Kuhn spent winters in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where her work absorbed influences from landscape, street life, and bold color fields. She remained active in exhibitions and philanthropic efforts, raising tuition funds for young girls through arts initiatives. She passed peacefully in Annapolis, Maryland, at age 96.
Audrey Grendahl Kuhn represents an important bridge between mid-century corporate graphic design and fine art printmaking in the Northeast United States. Her disciplined training in architecture and design informed her structured compositions, while her later embrace of embossing and intaglio techniques positioned her within the revival of experimental printmaking in the 1970s and 1980s. Works such as Saturn reflect her fascination with texture, relief, and circular symbolism—blending cosmic imagery with organic abstraction. As scholarship continues to reassess regional women printmakers of the postwar period, Kuhn’s embossed intaglios stand as tactile, technically accomplished contributions to American printmaking.
Audrey Grendahl Kuhn (1929–2024)
Saturn
Intaglio etching with blind embossing
22 x 22 inches
Signed lower margin
Edition 1/100
Certificate of Authentication
This certifies that Saturn is an original intaglio etching by Audrey Grendahl Kuhn (1929–2024).
Medium: Intaglio etching with embossing
Dimensions: 22 x 22 inches
Edition: 1/100
Signature: Hand-signed in pencil
Provenance: Mitch Morse Gallery; Artfind Gallery, Washington DC
Guaranteed authentic.
Condition
Good vintage condition. Visible foxing and toning present primarily to margins and verso. Image area strong with intact embossing and plate impression. Deckled edges preserved.
Provenance
Mitch Morse Gallery (acquired in NYC, United States and Europe)
Private Collection
Artfind Gallery, Washington DC (Current Owner)
Saturn, Audrey Grendahl Kuhn (1929–2024), c.1970s, intaglio etching, 22x22 in, signed & numbered 1/100, embossed modernist print
A rare early impression of Saturn by Audrey Grendahl Kuhn, numbered 1/100 and hand-signed in pencil. This 22 x 22 inch intaglio etching features rich textural embossing and a circular cosmic composition rendered in warm copper, umber, and burnt sienna tones. Created during Kuhn’s mature printmaking period, the work reflects her mastery of intaglio processes and her exploration of symbolic abstraction.
Artwork Description
Saturn is a compelling circular intaglio composition centered within a broad square sheet, framed by concentric blind-embossed rings that radiate outward like planetary orbits. The central medallion presents an intricate abstract arrangement of organic and planetary forms—coiled fibers, textured surfaces, and spherical shapes—suggesting both celestial bodies and terrestrial fragments.
Executed in warm earth tones—burnt orange, copper, sienna, charcoal, and ivory—the plate reveals a dense interplay of etched line, crosshatching, and relief embossing. Kuhn’s intaglio technique creates dimensional depth; raised areas catch the light while recessed lines retain rich ink deposits. The tactile surface is integral to the work’s impact, emphasizing her use of a one-ton press to achieve embossed articulation.
The title Saturn references both astronomy and mythology. Rather than literal depiction, Kuhn offers a symbolic interpretation—cycles, rings, orbit, and cosmic layering. The circular composition reinforces themes of continuity and containment, while the fibrous central form suggests growth, nesting, or planetary core energy.
Signed Audrey Grendahl Kuhn in pencil lower margin and numbered 1/100, this is a desirable first-edition impression. The deckled sheet and concentric blind embossing demonstrate careful studio craftsmanship typical of her 1970s printmaking practice.
Artist Biography
Audrey Grendahl Kuhn (1929–2024) was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Detroit. She graduated from the University of Michigan, College of Architecture and Design, earning a Bachelor of Design in 1952 with a focus in advertising and interior design. She later pursued advanced art studies at Skidmore College, Russell Sage College, and the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York, earning permanent certification to teach art.
Her professional career began in the corporate design world as a graphic artist for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan (1952–1956), followed by work as Assistant to the Art Director in Public Relations Publications. After relocating to New York State, she worked as a graphic artist for Shenendehowa High School and later served as an art teacher at Shenendehowa Central School in Clifton Park. She also worked as a part-time interior designer with Concept 2000 Interiors in Albany.
Kuhn exhibited widely throughout the Capital Region of New York, including the SUNY Construction Fund in Albany, RPI Cultural Center in Troy, Mohawk-Hudson Regional exhibitions, Saratoga Art Fair, Schenectady Museum, and numerous one- and two-woman shows during the 1970s. She received First Prize in Graphics at the Albany Artists Tent Show (1976) and First Prize at the Shenendehowa Arts Festival (1976), along with additional honors including Honorable Mention at the Lower Adirondack Regional exhibition.
She was a member of Graphic Artists, Treasurer for the Capital District; the Schenectady Museum Designer-Crafts Council; the New York State Art Teachers Association; Oak Room Artists; and the Lower Adirondack Region Council on the Arts. Her work was represented by the Schenectady Museum Sales-Rental Gallery, Albany Institute of History and Art Sales-Rental Gallery, Concept 2000 Interiors, and Dayspring Graphics in Saratoga Springs.
Kuhn’s early artistic focus included Chinese brush painting before she developed a strong affinity for graphic multiples, lithographs, and serigraphs incorporating intaglio embossing. Her large studio housed a one-ton press, which she used to create deeply embossed prints such as Saturn. She gained broader recognition during the 1980s, including attention at the New York Art Expo. Later in life, she expanded into wearable textile art and pastel painting. She was listed in several Who’s Who publications and Who’s Who in American Art, and was a juried member of the Pastel Society of America.
In later years, Kuhn spent winters in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where her work absorbed influences from landscape, street life, and bold color fields. She remained active in exhibitions and philanthropic efforts, raising tuition funds for young girls through arts initiatives. She passed peacefully in Annapolis, Maryland, at age 96.
Audrey Grendahl Kuhn represents an important bridge between mid-century corporate graphic design and fine art printmaking in the Northeast United States. Her disciplined training in architecture and design informed her structured compositions, while her later embrace of embossing and intaglio techniques positioned her within the revival of experimental printmaking in the 1970s and 1980s. Works such as Saturn reflect her fascination with texture, relief, and circular symbolism—blending cosmic imagery with organic abstraction. As scholarship continues to reassess regional women printmakers of the postwar period, Kuhn’s embossed intaglios stand as tactile, technically accomplished contributions to American printmaking.
Audrey Grendahl Kuhn (1929–2024)
Saturn
Intaglio etching with blind embossing
22 x 22 inches
Signed lower margin
Edition 1/100
Certificate of Authentication
This certifies that Saturn is an original intaglio etching by Audrey Grendahl Kuhn (1929–2024).
Medium: Intaglio etching with embossing
Dimensions: 22 x 22 inches
Edition: 1/100
Signature: Hand-signed in pencil
Provenance: Mitch Morse Gallery; Artfind Gallery, Washington DC
Guaranteed authentic.
Condition
Good vintage condition. Visible foxing and toning present primarily to margins and verso. Image area strong with intact embossing and plate impression. Deckled edges preserved.
Provenance
Mitch Morse Gallery (acquired in NYC, United States and Europe)
Private Collection
Artfind Gallery, Washington DC (Current Owner)
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