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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

Untitled 2-4-71 [study for "tattoo" book]

1971

James McCracken Jr.

Associated Names

James McCracken Jr.

Artist, American, 1942 - 2017

The image shows a series of bold black shapes forming abstract representations of skeleton-like figures. The top portion includes a circular shape enclosing a small skull connected to a V-shaped figure. Below, this design is repeated in two identical opposing figures linked vertically, creating a symmetrical pattern. The arrangement might suggest stacked skeletal forms resembling a totem pole made of simplified skull designs.

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Artwork overview

Medium

ink with graphite additions on wove paper
Credit Line

Gift of Anonymous in honor of Henry Francis du Pont Harrison
Dimensions

sheet: 21.5 × 39.5 cm (8 7/16 × 15 9/16 in.)
Accession Number

2021.4.16

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

The artist; to Private Collection; gift to NGA, 2021

Associated Names

Anonymous

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