Harvey Littleton (1922-2013) was a pioneering American glass artist and educator, credited with beginning the "Studio Glass" movement. 

Littleton began his career as a ceramist before transitioning to glass blowing and ultimately combining these two areas of training to become a glass sculptor a pioneer of glass art.

Seeking to elevate the use of glass by artists, Littleton began searching the globe for the tools, equipment and training necessary to allow an artist to work with glass independently in their studio. Hoping to free artists from the confines of a factory with multiple assistants and strict protocols for glass blowing; "Studio Glass" was born.

As an outspoken and passionate educator of glass art, Littleton worked hard to promote the medium of glass blowing and sculpting. He is responsible for organizing the first glass blowing seminar for studio artists at the Toledo Museum of Art in 1962. He also created the study of glass art in secondary art departments by initiating the first hot glass program at an American university (University of Wisconsin-Madison) and promoting / helping to establish it at other institutions. 

Much like Vasa's passion and artistic practice with acrylics, Littleton devoted himself to exploring the inherent qualities of color and glass. Often working in simple forms, Littleton sought to draw attention to the complex interplay of transparent glass with several thin elements of color.

Throughout his career, Littleton continued to experiment with glass. His works are often recognizable by their precise use of colors and simple, abstract shapes. Often there is a tube or stem-like structure in the works shape or colouring. Even works of his that are more bulbous or organic looking seem to stem from one simple shape. 

These cylinders are classic examples of Littleton's mastery of glass. With his signature two-tone colors and sliced tube-shape encased in each, these works show off the geometric precision of Littleton's art and elegance of his eye.  

Littleton's pioneering contributions and stunning creations of glass art earned his work places in some of the most prestigious public art collections in the world, including; the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY), Victoria and Alberta Museum (London, UK), The Smithsonian Museum (NY), MoMA (NY), and LACMA (LA) among many others.

Questions about this product?  

Incised signature and date by the artist (on both pieces). 

"Cylindrical Sections 45"

USA, 1979

Glass 

Cylinder 1: 6"H  4"W    

Cylinder 2 : 7"H  4"W  

Very good condition.