Ralph Avery lithographs

Collection — Box: 3 (AOC)

Identifier: RITArt-0014

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Ralph Avery lithographs contains five sets, each depicting scenes of mid-twentieth century downtown Rochester, New York. Three of the five sets are titled: Rochester's "Mercury" (circa 1951), Old Third Ward, and Rochester's Midtown Plaza (1962), with all lithographs in these sets printed in black and white. Of the last two sets, one is from 1950, with each lithograph titled:

Old World Charm

Exchange Street

A Vista Vanishes

Mercury

When Shadows Fall

A Living River by the Door

Dates

Creation: circa 1930-1965

Creator

Avery, Ralph Hillyer (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Watercolor artist Ralph Avery (1906-1976) graduated from RIT in 1928 and taught in the Applied Art Department at RIT for 25 years. He lived in Rochester for most of his adult life and frequently painted scenes from the local area – gray, foggy views of the downtown skyline, portraits of elegant old city homes, and abstractions of natural areas from the surrounding landscape. Avery was also a well-known illustrator, working for clients such as General Motors, Reader's Digest, and other popular magazines.

Extent

1.67 Linear Feet (1 Oversize lid box)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Ralph Avery lithographs contains 5 sets, mainly depicting scenes of Rochester, New York.

Arrangement

Lithographs are arranged by set.

Physical Location

C.S. North, Shelf 87, Box 3 (with Art on Campus collections)

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accession number(s): 2009:026

6 lithographs: Old World Charm, Exchange Street, A Vista Vanishes, Mercury, When Shadows Fall, and A Living River by the Door, were deposited in the RIT Art Collection in 2009 by Mary Jane Frind, Assistant Dean of the Kate Gleason College of Engineering at RIT. Additional copy of "Rochester's Midtown Plaza" was donated by Steve Walter in July 2019.