Robert Motherwell

American, 1915 - 1991

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American artist (1915-1991)

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Two black, abstract shapes against a white background dominate this wide, horizontal painting. One column-like, black shape is to our left, about a quarter of the way in from the left edge of the canvas. The bottom edge of the black form is jagged and an irregular bump protrudes at the center of the right side of that shape. The other black form fills most of the right half of the composition. That shape is made of two forms resembling very fat Ps with spines that curve around the protruding bumps, to our right. There are small spatters and dribbles of black paint around some of the shapes that only could have been made by striking the canvas with some force. The white background is outlined near the inner edges of the canvas, creating a subtle frame that contains the massive black shapes. Vertical lines, most of them smudged or faint, create vertical sections across the composition. A blurred, steel-blue line appears in the left most column. Thin washes of smoky blue and rose pink spread in areas across the composition. The artist signed and dated the painting in the lower right, “R. Motherwell 1978.”
Robert Motherwell, Reconciliation Elegy, 1978, acrylic on canvas, Gift of the Collectors Committee, 1978.20.1

Reconciliation Elegy

Robert Motherwell · 1978 · acrylic on canvas ·  Accession ID  1978.20.1

Robert Motherwell, Mural Sketch [pen, ink, and wash], 1977, sepia ink and wash on heavy wove paper, Gift of the Dedalus Foundation, 2004.9.1

Mural Sketch [pen, ink, and wash]

Robert Motherwell · 1977 · sepia ink and wash on heavy wove paper ·  Accession ID  2004.9.1

Robert Motherwell, Study for "Reconciliation Elegy", 1977, acrylic and graphite on canvasboard, Gift of the Dedalus Foundation, 2004.9.4

Study for "Reconciliation Elegy"

Robert Motherwell · 1977 · acrylic and graphite on canvasboard ·  Accession ID  2004.9.4

Robert Motherwell, Mural Sketch [pen and ink], 1977, sepia pen and ink on heavy wove paper, Gift of the Dedalus Foundation, 2004.9.2

Mural Sketch [pen and ink]

Robert Motherwell · 1977 · sepia pen and ink on heavy wove paper ·  Accession ID  2004.9.2

Robert Motherwell, Untitled (Elegy Sketch for National Gallery Mural), 1977-1980, felt-tip pen and pen and ink on blue wove paper, Gift of the Dedalus Foundation, 2004.9.5

Untitled (Elegy Sketch for National Gallery Mural)

Robert Motherwell · 1977-1980 · felt-tip pen and pen and ink on blue wove paper ·  Accession ID  2004.9.5

Robert Motherwell, Reconciliation Elegy, 1977, acrylic paint and graphite with collage on canvasboard, Gift of the Dedalus Foundation, 2004.9.3

Reconciliation Elegy

Robert Motherwell · 1977 · acrylic paint and graphite with collage on canvasboard ·  Accession ID  2004.9.3