An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.

R. Crumb: Art & Beauty

David Zwirner is pleased to present R. Crumb's inaugural exhibition at the gallery in London, featuring drawings from his Art & Beauty magazines. Initially published in 1996, the artist recently completed the highly anticipated third volume in the series, and the show marks the largest presentation of the project to date. This is his first solo exhibition in Britain following his 2005 presentation at Whitechapel Gallery.

One of today's most celebrated illustrators, Crumb helped define the cartoon and punk subcultures of the 1960s and 1970s with comic strips like Fritz the Cat, Mr. Natural, and Keep on Truckin'. The overt eroticism of his work paired with frequent self-deprecation and a free, almost stream-of-consciousness style have solidified his position as a renowned and influential artist, whose work addresses the absurdity of social conventions and political disillusionment.

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For more information about available works contact inquiries@davidzwirner.com

An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.

Combining iconography from comic books, art history, and popular culture, Art & Beauty portrays a broad selection of images of female figures in diverse settings. The inspiration for the series is linked to Crumb's avid collecting of vintage underground paraphernalia including records, flipbooks, and specifically, Art & Beauty, a catalogue published during the 1920s and 1930s featuring semi-erotic images of life models for art lovers and aspiring painters.

An untitled drawing by R. Crumb, dated 2002.

R. Crumb

Untitled, 2002 Back cover from "Art & Beauty Magazine, Number 2", 2002
Ink and correction fluid on paper
14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm)

​One of America’s most celebrated cartoonists, Robert Crumb helped define cartoon and punk subcultures of the 1960s and 1970s with comic strips like Fritz the Cat, Mr. Natural, and Keep on Truckin’. The open sexuality of his work, paired with frequen...

Artist: R. Crumb

An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An untitled drawing by R. Crumb, dated 2016.

R. Crumb

UntitledPage from "Art & Beauty Magazine, Number 3", 2016
Ink and correction fluid on paper
12 3/4 x 9 5/8 inches (32.2 x 24.4 cm)
An untitled drawing by R. Crumb, dated 2015.

R. Crumb

Untitled, 2015Page from "Art & Beauty Magazine, Number 3", 2016
Ink and correction fluid on paper
11 3/4 x 14 1/2 inches (29.7 x 36.7 cm)
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.
An installation view of the exhibition R. Crumb: Art & Beauty, at David Zwirner London, dated 2016.

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