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

Night and the Atom

1947

Boris Margo

Associated Names

Boris Margo

Artist, American, 1902 - 1995

The image shows an abstract composition with intertwining lines and jagged shapes crisscrossing the canvas. Shapes resembling objects like a ship’s mast, a crescent moon, and fragmented star-like forms are present, radiating from the center. Overlapping lines and varied textures create depth and motion, evoking a cluttered scene where elements burst forth like cosmic tendrils or organic growths. The viewer is encouraged to make connections with everyday objects while appreciating the intricate network of lines.

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

etching and cellocut in black on laid paper
Credit Line

Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams
Dimensions

plate: 36.5 × 45.1 cm (14 3/8 × 17 3/4 in.)
sheet: 43.5 × 54.4 cm (17 1/8 × 21 7/16 in.)
Accession Number

2008.115.3325
Catalogue Raisonné

Schmeckebier 1968, undescribed

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Reba and Dave Williams, Greenwich, Connecticut; acquired 2008 by the National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Dave H. and Reba W. Williams

Inscriptions

lower left in graphite: Night and the Atom / 25; lower center in graphite: etching & cellocut; lower right in graphite: Boris Margo

Wikidata ID

Q76454416

You may be interested in