Provenance

Protetch-McIntosh Gallery

McIntosh/Drysdale Gallery
Nancy Drysdale Gallery

est. 1976

Explore selected works

The image features an abstract composition with a large, dark, rounded mass dominating the center. This shape is executed with smudged charcoal or dark pigment that creates a textured and shadowy effect. Surrounding this central form is a softer gradient that dissipates into lighter shades. The overall image maintains an abstract quality against a muted background.
Martin Puryear, Untitled, 1977, black chalk on wove paper, Gift of the Collectors Committee, 1997.76.1

Untitled

Martin Puryear · 1977 · black chalk on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1997.76.1

A dark-colored hoop, perhaps black, is shown against a white background. A sliver of lemon yellow is painted across the top edge of the hoop. The nearly perfect symmetry of the circle is broken only by a slight bend on the upper right.
Martin Puryear, Blue Blood, 1979, polychromed pine and red cedar, Corcoran Collection (Gift of the Truland Foundation, 1980), 2014.136.288

Blue Blood

Martin Puryear · 1979 · polychromed pine and red cedar ·  Accession ID  2014.136.288

The sculpture is a circular form made of thin metallic material with a rusty brown finish. It has a minimalist design with a smooth surface and no additional embellishments. It is showcased against a white background.
Martin Puryear, Noatak, 1979, painted and stained wood, Gift of Carolyn Small Alper, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.220.1

Noatak

Martin Puryear · 1979 · painted and stained wood ·  Accession ID  1991.220.1

The sculpture is a large, circular loop made from a single solid piece. It has a dark brown patina covering most of its surface with a reddish hue at the top creating a subtle contrast. The loop is set against a plain white background and appears to be mounted on a wall at eye level in a vertical orientation.
Martin Puryear, Minion, 1981, painted ponderosa pine, Gift of Nancy and Carl Gewirz, 2020.114.1

Minion

Martin Puryear · 1981 · painted ponderosa pine ·  Accession ID  2020.114.1