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Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Untitled 2-3-71 [study for "tattoo" book]

1971

James McCracken Jr.

Associated Names

James McCracken Jr.

Artist, American, 1942 - 2017

The image shows a collection of curved and twisting shapes and lines forming an abstract composition. The shapes resemble flowing ribbons or tendrils in various orientations. Some forms are likened to musical notes or question marks due to their curves, while others resemble stylized animals or shells, creating an impression of nautilus shells with skull faces. The abstract forms suggest motion, as if they are gracefully dancing or floating in space.

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Artwork overview

Medium

ink on wove paper
Credit Line

Gift of Anonymous in honor of Henry Francis du Pont Harrison
Dimensions

sheet: 21.5 × 13.9 cm (8 7/16 × 5 1/2 in.)
Accession Number

2021.4.14

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

The artist; to Private Collection; gift to NGA, 2021

Associated Names

Anonymous

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