Larry Rivers

American, 1923 - 2002

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The image features curved and angular lines forming an abstract artwork. A central shape resembles a horse with simplified outlines, accompanied by a figure, suggesting movement. The rider is depicted in flowing lines, resembling a historical soldier or cavalier with a plume-like hat. Additional sketches of similar figures are placed throughout the scene, indicating riders and horses in varying scales and perspectives. Swaths of color, including blues and reds, enhance the horse, while softer greens and yellows fill the background. The overall composition evokes a scene reminiscent of a parade or historical procession.
Larry Rivers, Study for "Chinese Information Travel"—Pink Lady Rider, 1980, crayon and graphite on linen-backed wove paper, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Olga Hirshhorn), 2015.19.3410

Study for "Chinese Information Travel"—Pink Lady Rider

Larry Rivers · 1980 · crayon and graphite on linen-backed wove paper ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3410

The image depicts a person on horseback. The person is facing left, holding the reins of the horse with a serious expression. They have short hair and are wearing a loose, long-sleeved garment, pants, and boots. The horse is shown mid-stride on rocky terrain, with its head raised and mane flowing. The background is plain with no additional elements.
Larry Rivers, Study for "Chinese Information Travel"—Equestrian, 1980, graphite on wove paper mounted to linen-backed wove paper, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Olga Hirshhorn), 2015.19.3005

Study for "Chinese Information Travel"—Equestrian

Larry Rivers · 1980 · graphite on wove paper mounted to linen-backed wove paper ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3005

The image is a sketch showing a three-quarter view of a person seated on a horse. The person is sitting upright on the horse, facing slightly to the right side of the image. The facial features of the person are not visible in detail, but the person appears to have short hair and may be wearing a cap. The person is wearing a long-sleeved garment with a loose fit. The horse is partially visible with a focus on its front half, showing the head, neck, and part of its torso. The horse's mane is illustrated with lines indicating texture. The saddle and blanket are ornately decorated with geometric patterns. There is a note within the sketch that reads "Red." The background is plain and consists of clean, empty space. The drawing is signed "Larry Rivers" at the bottom right corner.
Larry Rivers, Study for "Chinese Information Travel"—Profile, 1980, graphite on cut and taped, linen-backed wove paper, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Olga Hirshhorn), 2015.19.3008

Study for "Chinese Information Travel"—Profile

Larry Rivers · 1980 · graphite on cut and taped, linen-backed wove paper ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3008

This is a drawing of a camel set against an abstract background featuring architectural elements. The image portrays a central camel with a backdrop incorporating elements like arches and buildings with domes. The scene is outlined in soft pastels and charcoal, with dominant hues of orange and brown. The word "CAMEL" is prominently integrated into the backdrop. The background creates a contrast with blue sky shading, adding depth to the composition. The overall style is playful and somewhat abstract, integrating elements from nature with imaginative architectural forms.
Larry Rivers, Camels, Orange City, 1980, crayon and graphite on linen-backed wove paper, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Olga Hirshhorn), 2015.19.3409

Camels, Orange City

Larry Rivers · 1980 · crayon and graphite on linen-backed wove paper ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3409

The image shows a sketched figure of a person seated on a rearing horse. The person appears to be in an active riding stance, leaning slightly forward with hands gripping the reins. The facial features include a bearded face with a prominent nose. The person's hair is mostly covered, possibly by a hat or turban-like headwear. They are wearing loose, flowing clothing with folds drawn in the fabric. There are no visible pieces of jewelry or objects held by the person, other than the reins. Surrounding the horse's hooves are sketches of foliage. The background is plain, emphasizing the central figure and horse. A signature reading "Larry Rivers" is in the bottom right corner.
Larry Rivers, Study for "Chinese Information Travel"—Man with Bow, 1980, graphite on wove paper mounted to linen-backed wove paper, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Olga Hirshhorn), 2015.19.3006

Study for "Chinese Information Travel"—Man with Bow

Larry Rivers · 1980 · graphite on wove paper mounted to linen-backed wove paper ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3006

The image depicts a woman riding a horse with a child in front of her. The woman is leaning slightly forward, holding the child in her arms. She has a composed expression, wearing a robe with patterned sleeves and an updo. The child has curly hair and is wearing a plain outfit, nestled in the woman's embrace. The horse's head is detailed with textured mane and facial expression. The background is plain.
Larry Rivers, Study for "Chinese Information Travel"—Mother and Child, 1980, graphite on cut and taped, linen-backed wove paper, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Olga Hirshhorn), 2015.19.3007

Study for "Chinese Information Travel"—Mother and Child

Larry Rivers · 1980 · graphite on cut and taped, linen-backed wove paper ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3007

Blank piece of vertically oriented tan paper.
Various Artists, Lee Bontecou, Robert C. Breer, John Chamberlain, Walter De Maria, Mark di Suvero, Jim Dine, Dan Flavin, Öyvind Fahlström, Red Grooms, Hans Haacke, Alex Hay, Donald Judd, Ellsworth Kelly, Sol LeWitt, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Morris, Louise Nevelson, Kenneth Noland, Claes Oldenburg, Nam June Paik, Robert Rauschenberg, Larry Rivers, James Rosenquist, George Segal, Richard Serra, Keith Sonnier, Richard Peter Stankiewicz, Cy Twombly, Robert Whitman, Andy Warhol, Styria Studio, Experiments in Art and Technology, The New York Collection for Stockholm Portfolio, 1973, portfolio of thirty prints in various media on various papers, Gift of Robert Rauschenberg, 1976.66.1-30

The New York Collection for Stockholm Portfolio

Various Artists, Lee Bontecou, Robert C. Breer, John Chamberlain, Walter De Maria, Mark di Suvero, Jim Dine, Dan Flavin, Öyvind Fahlström, Red Grooms, Hans Haacke, Alex Hay, Donald Judd, Ellsworth Kelly, Sol LeWitt, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Morris, Louise Nevelson, Kenneth Noland, Claes Oldenburg, Nam June Paik, Robert Rauschenberg, Larry Rivers, James Rosenquist, George Segal, Richard Serra, Keith Sonnier, Richard Peter Stankiewicz, Cy Twombly, Robert Whitman, Andy Warhol, Styria Studio, Experiments in Art and Technology · 1973 · portfolio of thirty prints in various media on various papers ·  Accession ID  1976.66.1-30

The image is a pencil drawing of a person's head and neck in a side profile. The person has a distinctive elongated nose, angular jawline, prominent cheekbones, closed lips, and voluminous, wavy hair styled away from the face. They are wearing a high-collared garment. The background is plain with sketched lines for minimal framing, and there is handwritten text in the bottom right corner that reads, "'OH' For Olga & Joe Rivers, '73 xmas." The sheet has perforations along the top edge.
Larry Rivers, Olga Hirshhorn, 1973, graphite on wove paper, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Olga Hirshhorn), 2015.19.3412

Olga Hirshhorn

Larry Rivers · 1973 · graphite on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3412

The image displays a composition of geometric shapes and lines, with a large, curving outline defining a portrait set against a vibrant pink background. Cut-out and overlapping forms give an abstract quality, suggesting a human figure dressed in formal attire. The image includes a stylized depiction of a suit, with angular shapes hinting at shoulders and a collar, and a tie that combines a black background with a pattern of yellow dots.
Larry Rivers, Styria Studio, Experiments in Art and Technology, Lenin?, 1973, color screenprint and lithograph on wove paper, Gift of Robert Rauschenberg, 1976.66.22

Lenin?

Larry Rivers, Styria Studio, Experiments in Art and Technology · 1973 · color screenprint and lithograph on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1976.66.22

The image features rectangles and curved lines. It includes three rectangular shapes, each containing an image of a woman in floral-patterned clothing. The background is a blue sky with white clouds. There is an upside-down image of a woman on one side.
Larry Rivers, Donn Steward, For the Pleasures of Fashion (Summer Unit), 1967-1970, color etching and aquatint on wove paper, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Olga Hirshhorn), 2015.19.3413

For the Pleasures of Fashion (Summer Unit)

Larry Rivers, Donn Steward · 1967-1970 · color etching and aquatint on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3413

Bibliography

2002

  • Weil, Martin. "Larry Rivers, 78; Major American Figurative Artist." The Washington Post (15 August 2002): B6.