Palimpsest

1951

Alfonso Ossorio

Associated Names
Alfonso Ossorio

Artist, American, born Philippines, 1916 - 1990

The image shows swirling lines and shapes layered in a dense configuration. There are circular and wavy lines creating an intricate web on the canvas. Vague facial features can be perceived within the chaos, resembling human faces, with what seems to be eyes and a mouth. Dark and light areas add depth, with some sections resembling tangled foliage or crowded urban scenes. The overall aesthetic is one of organized confusion, prompting viewers to search for familiar forms hidden in the chaos.
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

    color lithograph on Arches wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of the Collectors Committee

  • Dimensions

    image: 21.9 x 15.9 cm (8 5/8 x 6 1/4 in.)
    sheet: 26 x 21 cm (10 1/4 x 8 1/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1995.12.2

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Charles M. Young Fine Prints and Drawings, Glastonbury, CT; purchased by NGA, 1995.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

lower left in graphite: Palimpsest; lower right in graphite: A. Ossorio '51; upper right verso in graphite: AO 33927

Watermarks

lower center verso: Arches

Wikidata ID

Q75126025

You may be interested in

Loading Results