"Sonata No. 11 — Beethoven," by Pamela Colman Smith (1907) DIMENSIONS • 9" x 12" (Image: 7.5" x 10.31") • 12" x 16" (Image: 10" x 13.75") • 16" x 20" (Image: 12.31" x 17") • 20" x 24" (Image: 14.5" x 20") • 24" x 30" (Image: 18.13" x 25") Archival Inkjet on Fine Art Paper Smooth Surface - Matte Finish - Inset Borders ABOUT THE ARTWORK ----------------------------- Best-known for her work illustrating the Rider-Waite tarot, Pamela Colman Smith was a synesthetic artist whose watercolors record the dramatic visions that unfurled before her as she listened to classical music. Each composer opened a doorway into a different realm. "Chopin brings the night," she wrote, "gardens, mystery and dread hide under every bush, but joy and passion throb within the air," whereas Wagner summoned maddening visions of "scratchy little brown fir-trees rising through a brown fog," and "thick curtains of brown spiders' webs" with "a sickly, sweet, evil smell clinging to everything." "Sometimes they are so strange," she said of her visions, "they shock me as they come." Mrs. Forbes-Semphill described her process in a 1927 article for The Illustrated London News: "Sometimes the picture appears and grows in colour and form upon the paper as she draws, and she seems to just trace over it with her brush. At other times it is a living and moving picture that she sees before her in a frame…She does not seek to analyse these impressions at the time, as this would interfere with the subconscious action; she is absolutely sincere, and sets down only what she sees, holding her imagination well in check." These images, moreover, were deeply imbued with occult symbolism. Smith was a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn—an influential esoteric society whose membership included Bram Stoker, William Butler Yeats and Arthur Machen, to name a few. At the heart of their doctrines was the theory of correspondences, which, according to Melinda Boyd Parsons, "suggested that each aspect of creation as an imperfect reflection of a spiritual prototype...filtered through the ten Sephiroth or divine names. These, in turn, were manifestations of one 'uncreated source.' True reality lay only in this prototypical realm." They believed that it was this realm of pure archetype that Pamela Colman Smith was accessing through her art. ART-CENTRIC DESIGN ----------------------------- Vintage art is not standardized. The original works are usually too long, or too short, to neatly fill a store-bought frame. Most shops arbitrarily crop the artwork to match, leading to claustrophobic prints with missing or partial elements. These modifications — sometimes trivial, sometimes ludicrous — are not always shown in the product photos. We believe that the purpose of art is not to fill a frame; it is the purpose of a frame to showcase the art. Our prints have inset borders that make up any differences in proportion between the artwork and a standard frame, so that you can experience the art as the artist intended. They look sharp in beveled mats, may be float mounted, or inserted directly into standard frames; the borders providing a mat-like accent around the image. There are many styles from which to choose. Framing is a fun, creative process that enhances the artwork and livens your space for years to come. Should you like any advice, feel free to reach out. CUSTOMIZATION AND IMAGE REQUESTS ----------------------------- We are happy to customize our prints to fit your frame. Borderless prints may require the artwork to be cropped to fit a new aspect ratio. In such cases, we will provide a mockup to ensure that the final product meets with your approval. If you’re looking for an artwork that is not in our catalog, feel free to ask if we can provide it. We will print any public domain or openly licensed image that is available in high resolution. MUSEUM QUALITY ----------------------------- Giclée process prints are the gold standard in fine art reproduction. We use a matte finish, cotton fiber paper to maximize detail while eliminating glare. Our prints display a wide color gamut, deep blacks and beautiful tonal transitions. Produced using only archival materials, they will not fade or yellow, but maintain their original quality for as long as you own them. HANDMADE DECLARATION ----------------------------- To assure artistic quality, all of our production and design is strictly in-house. Every print has been proofed, calibrated and inspected for defects. We do not drop ship, resell or make use of third-party production partners. SHIPPING AND PACKAGING ----------------------------- All orders ship within one business day via USPS First Class, Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express. Sizes 9” x 12” and 12” x 16” ship in a flat configuration, unless combined with larger prints, which require tubes. We will replace any lost or damaged items at no expense to you. HAPPINESS GUARANTEE ----------------------------- We will promptly address any issues that may arise with your order. If you are unhappy with your print for any reason, you are welcome to return it for a full refund.