Collections: Art Collection
Works on Paper
Cigarette Underground
A1972.3.350
An etching of a miner lighting a cigarette in an underground tunnel. The Artist, Irwin Hoffman, traveled to the Southwest United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico in the 1930's and 1940's with his brothers, who owned a mining company. He became friendly with the local villagers and miners. It is likely that Hoffman drew his inspiration for this etching during one of those trips.
Irwin Hoffman was born and raised in Boston. His talent was noticed an early age, and he became a special student at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts School at the age of 15. He attended that school full time, on scolarship, when he graduated from high school. Hoffman had his first solo gallery show at the age of 19. He received a travel scholarship and traveled throughout Europe. Once he returned, Hoffman opened a New York studio that he maintained until his death. Irwin Hoffman was a painter, printmaker, illustrator, and sculptor.
Artist: Irwin D. Hoffman (1901 - 1989)
Title: Cigarette Underground
Medium: Etching on paper
Dates: 1938
Dimensions: 14.75 in. x 10 in.
Signature/Inscription: Irwin D. Hoffman; Below print - Right side
Culture: American
Accession Number: A1972.3.350
Credit: Gift of the Estate of Julian Clarence Levi
Tags: 20th century, cigarette, etching, genre, hoffman, miner, print, underground, works on paper
