Benton Spruance

American painter, printmaker and architect Benton Spruance is considered one of the pioneers of color lithographs, in which he developed innovative techniques still used today. As a printmaker, Spruance was known for his innovations in color lithography with series of works relating to mythological and religious themes, as well as portraiture.

Spruance was born in Philadelphia, where he studied at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Fine Art and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He eventually became an art teacher himself as professor at Beaver College in Jenkintown near Philadelphia.

Spruance created several lithographs in the early 1930s with very similar versions of a particular American football scene. The first, from 1930-32, was simply titled Spinner. Two more works from 1934 were called Spinner Play. The latter two were 35.6 x 47.6 cm and 35.40 × 48.90 cm, respectively, in size. Design for America also showed one of Spruance’s football motifs. In fact, the complete title was Design for America #2. The #1, however, did not show a sports motif. The 1935 lithograph measured 41.6 x 24.1 cm and was printed in an edition of 40.