Maltby Sykes: A Pioneer of Lithographic Printmaking Maltby Sykes (1908 – 1983) stands as a pivotal figure in the history of American printmaking, particularly renowned for his innovative adaptation of commercial lithography techniques to artistic expression. Born in Alabama, Sykes’s formative years were marked by exposure to the industrial landscape of Birmingham and the profound impact of the Great Depression—influences that would permeate his artistic vision throughout his career. He pursued formal education at Auburn University, where he established a groundbreaking printmaking program th…