The Umbrellas, Joint Project for Japan and U.S.A.

1991

Christo

Associated Names
Christo

Artist, American, born Bulgaria, 1935 - 2020

The image is a diptych. The left panel features a black and white topographical map of a hillside area with elevation lines and clusters of yellow dots. The right panel shows a close-up perspective of a landscape with large yellow umbrellas on uneven ground. The background has rolling hills, greenery, and a grey sky. The brushstrokes in the right section give texture and depth to the scene, with a warm color palette dominated by yellow hues.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pastel, enamel paint, graphite, colored pencil, wax crayon, aerial photograph with topographic contour map, technical data, and fabric sample, on two sheets of paperboard in two parts

  • Credit Line

    Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (left panel): 77.5 x 30.5 cm (30 1/2 x 12 in.)
    framed (left panel): 78.2 x 31.3 x 4.3 cm (30 13/16 x 12 5/16 x 1 11/16 in.)
    sheet (right panel): 77.5 x 66.7 cm (30 1/2 x 26 1/4 in.)
    framed (right panel): 78.2 x 67.4 x 4.3 cm (30 13/16 x 26 9/16 x 1 11/16 in.)
    overall size (for both panels): 77.5 x 99.7 cm (30 1/2 x 39 1/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1999.4.2.a-b

  • Copyright

    © Christo 1991

Associated Artworks

This is a drawing of a conceptual project plan. The image features a topographical map with contour lines, yellow dots marking specific locations, and a road cutting across the landscape inside a circled area. It outlines a project named "The Umbrellas." Below the map, there's a technical drawing detail of an umbrella structure. Additionally, there is a swatch of yellow fabric sample attached to the board. The bottom is marked with text indicating the location of the project in Los Angeles and Kern Counties, California. The layout presents a blend of cartography, architectural planning, and material sampling.

The Umbrellas, Joint Project for Japan and U.S.A. [left panel]

Christo

1991

The image depicts a landscape with numerous yellow umbrella-like structures dotting rolling hills. These structures extend into the distance, creating a rhythmic pattern. The horizon is high, where the land meets a grey sky outlined by hills. Expressive brushstrokes convey texture and movement, especially in grassy areas. The color palette is earthy with browns, yellows, shadows, and green foliage. The artist's notes and measurements are visible on the top and bottom edges of the piece.

The Umbrellas, Joint Project for Japan and U.S.A. [right panel]

Christo

1991

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Acquired from the artist by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Vogel, New York; gift 1999 to NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2002

  • Christo and Jeanne-Claude in the Vogel Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington; Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, La Jolla, 2002-2003, no. 29.

Bibliography

2002

  • Christo and Jeanne-Claude in the Vogel Collection. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington; Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, La Jolla, 2002-2003.

Inscriptions

left panel, lower right in black wax crayon: Christo 1991; center verso of support in black crayon: (layout) / (copyright) Christo 1991 / 194A / ONE WORK IN 2 ITEMS: / THESE 2 ITEMS ARE / ONE WORK; THEY MUST / NOT BE SEPARATED / AND MUST BE HUNG / ACCORDING TO THIS / LAY OUT; right panel, upper center verso of support in black crayon: (layout) 194B / (copyright) Christo 1991 ONE WORK IN 2 ITEMS: THESE 2 ITEMS / ARE ONE WORK, THEY MUST NOT / BE SEPARATED AND MUST BE / HUNG ACCORDING TO THIS LAY / OUT.

Wikidata ID

Q64540000

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