Intaglio Prints by the Lasansky Family at the Bisignano Art Gallery

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Around 15 intaglio prints by the Lasansky family will be on display at the University of Dubuque's Bisignano Art Gallery.

"Lasansky: UD's Private Collection" is free and open to the public Friday, January 10, 2025, through Monday, February 3, 2025, at the art gallery inside Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett Street.

UD's collection of intaglio prints by the Lasansky family started with a major gift by the Bisignano Art Gallery's benefactor of Mauricio Lasansky's Great Thinkers series in 2013. Since then, UD has acquired many more of Mauricio's works. In addition, through special funding via the Office of the President and gifts, UD expanded its reach to include the Lasansky family of artists: Tom's Lasansky, son of Mauricio, and Diego Lasansky, grandson of Mauricio, nephew of Tom's, and son of Phillip Lasansky.

The Lasansky family is truly one that believes in lifelong artistic production.

Noah Bullock (C'21), coordinator of the art gallery, said you can spot a Lasansky at a distance - not so much through the subject matter but through the form.

"Mauricio Lasansky was a formalist through-and-through," Bullock said. "While large, clean color field painting seemed all the rage in certain contemporary galleries in 1970s Soho, Lasansky's large-scale, multi-plated figurative images kept traditional intaglio technique and figurative art in focus for the rest of us. He is truly the 'father' of modern printmaking in America."

When Bullock visited the Lasansky Workshop in Iowa City, Iowa, many years ago, he was drawn to the large portraits of influential people from the past and was inspired to learn more.

"They're big, vibrant, and full of texture," Bullock said. "Mauricio, Tom's, and Diego Lasansky combine painting, drawing, and printmaking to create these one-of-a-kind pieces. In a sense, each artist reminds me of a modern-day Rembrandt using some of the same techniques."

Gallery hours are noon to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The art gallery is also open in conjunction with all major events in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center.

"Lasansky: UD's Private Collection" will also be available virtually at https://www.dbq.edu/Gallery.