Irving Petlin: A Pioneer of Pastel and Political Engagement Irving Petlin (December 17, 1934 – September 1, 2018) stands as a singular figure in American art history—a painter who seamlessly blended artistic innovation with unwavering political conviction. Born in Chicago during the vibrant era of Chicago Imagism, Petlin’s career spanned decades and encompassed collaborations with prominent artists like Mark di Suvero and Leon Golub, establishing him as a pivotal voice within the burgeoning Nouvelle Figuration movement. His distinctive approach to painting—characterized by “series form”—invo…