Lawrence Donovan Florida Artist Print & Mold 3 Admirals

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

Lawrence Donovan Florida Artist Print & Mold 3 Admirals Description Lawrence Donovan Florida Artist Print & Mold 3 Admirals Historical Note: Laurence Donovan was a poet, artist, and English professor at the University of Miami.Donovan was born in 1927, and grew up in southern Florida. His parents were Ruth and Laurence Donovan, and he had one brother, Patrick. His father was best known for publishing Doc Savage novels under the alias Norman Danberg.Donovan served as a private in the Army Corps of Engineers in the Philippines from 1945-1946. Following his military service, he graduated with an A.B. from the University of Miami in 1951, and an M.A. in 1954. He also completed one year of Ph.D. coursework at the University of Iowa in 1957. Donovan taught English at the University of Miami from the 1950s through the 1980s, first as an instructor, and then as a professor. He passed away in 2001.Laurence Donovan is best known for his poetry, much of which was inspired by Florida’s natural beauty. His poems were published in literary journals across the nation. An avid artist, Donovan was prominent in the Coconut Grove art scene in the 1960s. His artwork was featured in numerous exhibitions and it was frequently published, sometimes accompanying his literary work. Donovan also wrote book reviews for the Miami Herald for many years.This auction includes the original brass plate mold of the three admirals and the numbered print which I will ship print only for the frame is very heavy, and the glass edge is slightly damaged.Very rare to have access to the original print plate. This measures 12.5 x 10. This was mounted in 1970. The art print is signed and numbered "Admirals of the Fleet 11/20", and Lawrence Donovan 6/18/70. As a poet, Donovan showed superb observation, emotion, and wit. His sketches and linocuts detailed intricate scenes that included the sea, ports, and fauna, as well as the whimsical wanderings of fairies. For years, he was also a book reviewer for The Miami Herald and a proud participant of South Florida’s literary community.Donovan passed away in 2001, and his manuscripts, correspondence, and documents are now the property of the University of Miami Libraries’ Special Collections, thanks to his longtime romantic partner Dee Clark, who donated them.Students, scholars, and academics can now draw inspiration from a treasure trove of archives, which include 12 boxes of manuscripts and letters (to his friends, fellow artists, and some students), small linocuts, and even a booklet called Laurence’s Tarot, in which he sketched each character in the Arcanas and coupled it with a poem.For more than 35 years, Donovan taught contemporary literature and creative writing at UM, his alma mater and a place he loved. He was editor of The Carrell , the publication of the Friends of the Libraries, an elegant journal that for years published poetry, short stories, reviews, and commentary. His interests and talents were truly diverse, said Clark, also an artist, who shared his life for more than 20 years.“I don’t know that there was a difference for him between being an artist or a writer,” Clark said. “He loved literature and he was a fine artist.”The archives detail Donovan’s growth as a book lover, intellectual, and superb graphic artist. Most of his letters were neatly typewritten but also graced with a linocut of an animal or a tree, something that caught his fancy at the time and was meant to be a small gift for the receiver.“Professor Donovan’s archives cast a light on him as both an instructor and a human being,” said Cristina Favretto, head of Special Collections. “His dedication to the University and his passion for poetry, art, and literature shine through his correspondence and his notes. I never knew him, but after spending time with his archives, I wish I’d had the opportunity to have him as a teacher, because it’s very clear he was very dedicated to his students and his art.”Although born in British C... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.