Animations:

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

Open 10:00–5:00

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

Truism

1977

Jenny Holzer

Associated Names

Jenny Holzer

Artist, American, born 1950

The image displays an abstract arrangement of bold text lines, both in English and Italian, forming block-like rectangular shapes. The layout of the text is suggestive of a collage of phrases. Familiar sayings such as "ABUSE OF POWER COMES AS NO SURPRISE" and "BOREDOM MAKES YOU DO CRAZY THINGS" are included. The lines are stacked like bricks, constructing a visual wall of text, each statement standing alone yet part of a larger pattern.

This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.

Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

Medium

offset lithograph on wove paper
Credit Line

Gift of the Artist
Dimensions

sheet: 55.88 x 43.18 cm (22 x 17 in.)
Accession Number

2008.111.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

the artist, New York; gift to NGA, 2008

Associated Names

National Gallery of Art

Wikidata ID

Q76439085

You may be interested in