Arthur George Murphy

American, 1906 - 1991

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This is a drawing of three horses and an ox in motion. The animals are depicted with flowing manes and tails, suggesting speed and movement. The lines are fluid and dynamic, capturing the energy of the animals. The drawing uses a minimalistic style, with simple, curved lines and shading to suggest form and motion.
Arthur George Murphy, Bulldoggers, c. 1940, lithograph, Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 2008.115.3656

Bulldoggers

Arthur George Murphy · c. 1940 · lithograph ·  Accession ID  2008.115.3656
The image features intricate, fluid lines on a white background, creating an abstract composition. The lines suggest the shape of a figure in motion. There are two areas of dark shading creating contrast, one resembling a plume and the other a trailing cloak or tail. The interplay of line and shadow conveys movement and grace, resembling a moment captured mid-dance or mid-leap.
Arthur George Murphy, Horse Group No. 19, 1938, lithograph, Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 2008.115.3654

Horse Group No. 19

Arthur George Murphy · 1938 · lithograph ·  Accession ID  2008.115.3654
The image shows a landscape with an elevated perspective looking down at a vast expanse of terrain with scattered livestock. The horizon line is just below the center of the composition, separating the ground from the sky, with small hills in the distance. The sky is filled with large, rounded clouds outlined clearly and shaded smoothly, giving a soft texture. These clouds create a pattern contrasting the terrain below. The color palette is monochromatic with various shades of grey, offering a serene visual impact. The terrain near us seems flat and reflective, resembling water or a wetland, with lighter shades indicating reflection. In the distance, a line of small dark animals can be seen against the expansive landscape, providing a sense of scale and distance.
Arthur George Murphy, Untitled (Landscape With Clouds), 1938, lithograph, Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 2008.115.3649

Untitled (Landscape With Clouds)

Arthur George Murphy · 1938 · lithograph ·  Accession ID  2008.115.3649
Delicate, fluid lines curve and twist across the canvas to form interconnected shapes. The left side includes looping lines resembling a figure in a sitting posture, and the right side features wispy forms suggesting the silhouette of another figure being drawn towards the first. The interplay of these abstract elements evokes a sense of movement and familiarity.
Arthur George Murphy, Horse Group No. 10, 1937, lithograph, Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 2008.115.3653

Horse Group No. 10

Arthur George Murphy · 1937 · lithograph ·  Accession ID  2008.115.3653
This is a drawing of a figure riding a bull. The drawing shows a figure on the back of a bucking bull, capturing a dynamic moment as the bull leaps upward. The figure is outlined with minimal lines, and the use of shading is quite subtle, highlighting the form of the bull and creating a sense of movement. The simplicity of the lines conveys a sense of fluidity and grace in the action, and the overall composition emphasizes the powerful physicality of the bull.
Arthur George Murphy, Bullrider No.1, 1937, lithograph, Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 2008.115.3655

Bullrider No.1

Arthur George Murphy · 1937 · lithograph ·  Accession ID  2008.115.3655
The image features a frontal landscape. The vast expanse extends towards the horizon, with a line of small figures visible in the distance. The sky dominates the top half of the image with large, rounded clouds. The brushstrokes are fine and subtle, giving the clouds a soft texture. The color palette includes shades of gray, white, and black, creating a monochromatic feel. The artwork conveys a sense of vastness and simplicity through its minimalist style.
Arthur George Murphy, Taos Plains, 1937, lithograph, Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 2008.115.3650

Taos Plains

Arthur George Murphy · 1937 · lithograph ·  Accession ID  2008.115.3650
The image depicts a group of cows resting beneath tall trees in a shaded area. The cows are in various positions, with one standing and the others reclining. The scene has a monochromatic color palette of black, white, and gray. The background shows the trunks of tall trees and a sketched leaf canopy.
Arthur George Murphy, Cows in Shade No. 1, 1937, lithograph, Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 2008.115.3652

Cows in Shade No. 1

Arthur George Murphy · 1937 · lithograph ·  Accession ID  2008.115.3652
This is a drawing of abstracted forms resembling industrial machinery and tools intertwined with muscular shapes. The central focus of the image is on two forms engaged with large gears and cables. Within the work, there are robust shapes suggesting human-like figures, yet they are abstract and intertwined with mechanical components. The forms convey strength and laborious effort. Various industrial tools and mechanical elements are scattered around. The use of shading creates depth and a three-dimensional feel to the interconnected figures and machinery. The medium is pencil or graphite, contributing to the monochromatic and textured appearance of the drawing, highlighting the contrast between the smooth muscles and the coarse mechanical details.
Arthur George Murphy, Raymond Bertrand, Steel Riggers - No. 1 - Bay Bridge, 1936, lithograph, Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 2008.115.3647

Steel Riggers - No. 1 - Bay Bridge

Arthur George Murphy, Raymond Bertrand · 1936 · lithograph ·  Accession ID  2008.115.3647
The image shows an upwards view of a bridge structure. The bridge's pillars are depicted with sleek, linear strength, and details of the cables are visible at the top. The horizon is not shown, emphasizing the verticality of the structure. The drawing uses precise pencil strokes to create a smooth texture. The color palette is monochromatic, using varying shades of gray. Birds are seen flying around the structure, adding scale and liveliness. The overall mood is serene and majestic, highlighting the engineering feat within a minimalist framework.
Arthur George Murphy, Bridge Pylon (Light Version), 1936, lithograph in black on wove paper, Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 2008.115.3657

Bridge Pylon (Light Version)

Arthur George Murphy · 1936 · lithograph in black on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2008.115.3657
The image depicts two muscular men engaged in manual labor. The man in the foreground is kneeling on one knee, leaning slightly forward, while the man behind him stands upright with his hands raised above his head. Both have short hair or are wearing helmets. The kneeling man has a harness around his waist holding tools, and they both hold large tools, possibly hammers. The background is industrial, featuring metal structures and rigging ropes, suggesting a bridge or construction site. The illustration is in shades of black and white.
Arthur George Murphy, Steel Riggers - No. 3 - Bay Bridge, 1936, lithograph in black on wove paper, Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, 2008.115.3658

Steel Riggers - No. 3 - Bay Bridge

Arthur George Murphy · 1936 · lithograph in black on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2008.115.3658