Liberty, 2011

Name: Liberty, 2011
Brand: Ed Ruscha
Availability: InStock

Ed Ruscha

Medium: hand-signed lithograph and screenprint

Signature: signed and dated 'Ed Ruscha 2011' in pencil lower right

Framed size: 30 x 24"

Price on Request

15513581

//martinlawrence.com/cdn/shop/files/LTRUS201101__P-Image_Liberty_LTRUS201101_NU0030_sm_265a352e-8a35-411d-aaa3-6e5df66c44aa.jpg?v=1760663586

0.7605

//martinlawrence.com/cdn/shop/files/LTRUS201101__P-Image_Liberty_LTRUS201101_NU0030_sm_265a352e-8a35-411d-aaa3-6e5df66c44aa.jpg?v=1760663586 0.7605

//martinlawrence.com/cdn/shop/files/LTRUS201101_Framed_Art_LTRUS201101_Liberty_NU0030_701de0bf-c116-4878-8c52-a048df3734d2.jpg?v=1760663586 0.801

//martinlawrence.com/cdn/shop/files/LTRUS201101_Corner_1_LTRUS201101_Liberty_NU0030_corner_bea435cd-b8c2-4206-ab94-dfde1ff7c3c7.jpg?v=1760663586 1.1155

//martinlawrence.com/cdn/shop/files/LTRUS201101_Web_Signature_Liberty_LTRUS201101_NU0030_sig_ed.jpg?v=1760663586 1.3997827267789245

//martinlawrence.com/cdn/shop/files/LTRUS201101_Detail_Shot_1_Liberty_LTRUS201101_NU0030_detail_cbe001ee-a929-437b-b7be-220172079657.jpg?v=1760663586 1.3998250218722659

"Liberty" is a lithograph and screenprint created by Ed Ruscha in 2011. From the edition of 112, the artwork is signed and dated ' Ed Ruscha 2011' in pencil lower right. The artwork is framed in a contemporary white frame and has a framed size of 30 x 24". The artwork ships framed and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Ed Ruscha’s "Liberty" is a bold example of the artist’s long engagement with the visual and conceptual power of language. Created in 2011 as a lithograph and screenprint, the work transforms one of America’s most charged words into a fractured typographic image, suspended across a field of red, white, and blue.

The word “LIBERTY” appears in three descending parts: “LIB” dominates the upper left, “ER” floats lower in the center, and “TY” sits near the bottom right, reduced almost to a footnote. This staggered arrangement turns the word into a visual sequence, as if the idea is being broken down, syllable by syllable. What is normally a single, declarative word becomes something interrupted, unstable, and open to interpretation.

The background intensifies that effect. Broad diagonal bands of blue, white, and red move across the sheet with the force of light, signage, or a cinematic flare. The patriotic palette is immediately recognizable, but Ruscha avoids straightforward celebration. Instead, he places the word under visual pressure, allowing the viewer to consider whether liberty is being illuminated, fragmented, diminished, or reassembled.

This ambiguity is central to Ruscha’s work. Throughout his career, he has treated words as images — not just things to be read, but forms to be seen, questioned, and felt. His language often carries a deadpan clarity while leaving meaning unresolved. In "Liberty," the familiar word becomes both public and uncertain. It points toward national ideals, but also toward the fragility of those ideals when reduced to slogans, symbols, or visual fragments.

The print also reflects Ruscha’s deep connection to American graphic culture: roadside signs, advertising, Hollywood light, commercial lettering, and the visual language of mass communication. Yet the image is not simply Pop or patriotic. Its power comes from restraint. The crisp typography and vivid color are direct and accessible, while the fragmented structure creates a more thoughtful undertone.

Technically, the combination of lithography and screenprint suits Ruscha’s aesthetic perfectly, allowing for sharp letterforms, saturated color, and atmospheric transitions. For collectors, "Liberty" offers a strong example of Ruscha’s word-based practice in a visually immediate format. It combines language, design, national symbolism, and ambiguity in a way that is unmistakably his own. Rather than telling the viewer what liberty means, Ruscha presents the word as something to look at again — divided, illuminated, and still unresolved.

50824300167485

50824300167485::Default Title::::,

Details

Medium: hand-signed lithograph and screenprint
Year: 2011
Edition: 112

Sheet size: 25.75 x 19.75"
Image size: 25.75 x 19.75"
Framed size: 30 x 24"

Signature: signed and dated 'Ed Ruscha 2011' in pencil lower right

About the Work

About the Artist

Ed Ruscha (b. 1937) is a leading figure in postwar American art whose work bridges Pop, Conceptual, and contemporary practice. Best known for his innovative use of language and imagery, Ruscha has made printmaking central to his career, producing iconic screenprints, lithographs, and etchings that distill the poetics of everyday words and symbols. Exhibited internationally and represented in major collections, his work continues to shape the dialogue between art, design, and culture today.

Liberty, 2011

$58,850.00

SELECTED WORK

Start your collection with guidance you can trust

For nearly 50 years, we’ve helped new collectors find artwork they love and understand the stories behind each piece. Our gallery consultants offer personalized guidance, whether you’re exploring originals, limited editions, or discovering an artist for the first time. Visit your nearest gallery to start collecting with confidence.

Reach Out to a Consultant

Visit your nearest gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included with my purchase?

Your artwork comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (or Letter of Authenticity), professional packaging, and insured delivery.

How is the artwork shipped?

We ship fully insured, using trusted carriers. Each piece is professionally packed to ensure safe arrival. Shipping times vary based on the location of the art, its destination, and whether or not it is framed (ready to ship) at the time of your purchase.

Do you frame the artwork?

All our works come beautifully framed. Some print multiples may have framing options if we have unframed editions available in our warehouse. Our in-house framing provides high-quality moulding, acid-free materials and either UV plexiglass or framer’s grade acrylic. High value works may be framed in custom, closed-corner frames, and are often framed in Optium museum glass for enhanced clarity.

Does Martin Lawrence Galleries provide Appraisal Services?

No, Martin Lawrence Galleries does not provide appraisal services. To ensure that appraisals are fully independent and unbiased, it is best practice for them to be carried out by certified appraisers who have not had prior involvement with the sale or handling of the artwork. For that reason, we do not appraise artworks that we handle, and instead recommend that collectors seek an independent, certified appraiser.

Does Martin Lawrence Galleries take works in on consignment?

No, we own the vast majority of our inventory and do not seek out consignments from Sellers.

Will Martin Lawrence Galleries help me install my artwork?

Yes, if you purchase from a local gallery, your consultant will be happy to assist you with hanging the artwork in your home.

Can I see the artwork in person?

Martin Lawrence Galleries has seven galleries across the country where you may be able to see the exact piece you are interested in. Print and sculpture multiples are more likely to be in several places for possible viewings whereas unique artworks will be constrained to one location. We are happy to facilitate your visit to one of our galleries if that is convenient for you. We can also take videos and extensive photos if a visit is not possible. Please contact us at martinlawrencegalleries.com.

Why buy from Martin Lawrence Galleries?

We have over 50 years of experience, seven gallery locations across the United States, and a track record of connecting collectors with the right artwork.

Is buying art complicated?

No. Our consultants are here to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and make buying art simple and rewarding.

How do I know what artwork is right for me?

We encourage you to buy what you love. Our consultants will help you find the right piece that fits your taste and collection.

How should I care for my artwork?

Please visit our page on specific instructions on how to take care of your artworks. Care Instructions

Return Policy

We stand by our artwork. Please review our detailed return policy here.