Robert Longo

American, born 1953

Explore selected works

This incredibly detailed black-and-white drawing shows a group of people in a hallway or corridor, surrounded by smoke. On the left, there is a person standing, holding a flag in their right fist. They are wearing a plaid shirt with a cape-like cloth over their shoulders, a beanie hat with partially visible lettering, sunglasses, and a patterned face covering obscuring most of their face. In the background, other people can be seen, one wearing a gas mask and draped in a flag with stars on it, and another facing away from us, wearing a backpack with a flag patch. Behind them is another flag with stars and stripes. On the right and in the background, the arms of two obscured people stick out, holding smartphones. The setting includes large stone or concrete walls with rectangular recesses and a window partially visible on the left.
Robert Longo, Untitled (Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol; January 6th, 2021; Based on a photograph by Mark Peterson), 2021, charcoal, conté crayon, and graphite on mounted paper, Gift of Funds from Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen and Marc Andreessen, Photograph courtesy the artist, 2022.48.1

Untitled (Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol; January 6th, 2021; Based on a photograph by Mark Peterson)

Robert Longo · 2021 · charcoal, conté crayon, and graphite on mounted paper ·  Accession ID  2022.48.1
This artwork is a black and white triptych featuring the White House in the center. The perspective is direct and centered, with the building against a cloud-filled sky. The horizon is low, emphasizing the structure. The sky above has swirling clouds. On either side of the White House, leafless trees with intricate branches are silhouetted against the sky, adding depth and framing the central building. The color palette is monochromatic, focusing on the contrast between dark shadows and bright highlights.
Robert Longo, The Forest (White House), 2019, charcoal on three sheets of paper mounted to aluminum, Gift of Clifford Ross, Photograph courtesy of the artist, 2023.6.2.a-c

The Forest (White House)

Robert Longo · 2019 · charcoal on three sheets of paper mounted to aluminum ·  Accession ID  2023.6.2.a-c
This is a drawing of a large building with grand columns and a triangular roof underneath a dramatic sky. Above the columns is a large triangular relief depicting various people. Long, wide stairs lead up to the building, and flanking the stairs are large, seated statues. The sky above is filled with dark, swirling clouds, with small patches of light shining through. Down the center of the drawing, a thick white line splits the building in half.
Robert Longo, The Rock (The Supreme Court of the United States--Split), 2018, charcoal on two sheets of paper mounted to aluminum, Gift of Clifford Ross, Photograph courtesy of the artist, 2023.6.3.a-b

The Rock (The Supreme Court of the United States--Split)

Robert Longo · 2018 · charcoal on two sheets of paper mounted to aluminum ·  Accession ID  2023.6.3.a-b
This drawing is made up of seven panels arranged in a horizontal line that all show a detailed black and white panorama of the United States Capitol building, captured from a distance. The dome of the building is captured in the central panel, while the rest of it extends to the left and the right. The far right and left panels don't contain any of the building and show only the surrounding landscape. All of the columns, windows, doorways, and decorative engravings are captured in extreme detail. The sky behind the building is dark, with a few light gray clouds. The foreground features the black silhouettes of trees, partially obscuring the bottom of the building. There is a small amount of space between each panel, creating vertical white lines that divide the drawing. “
Robert Longo, The Whale (The United States Capitol), 2012-2013, charcoal on seven sheets of paper mounted to aluminum, Gift of Clifford Ross, Photograph courtesy of the artist, 2023.6.1.a-g

The Whale (The United States Capitol)

Robert Longo · 2012-2013 · charcoal on seven sheets of paper mounted to aluminum ·  Accession ID  2023.6.1.a-g
The image displays an upper body of a man in a dynamic pose with his left arm raised and bent across his face. The man has detailed facial features, prominent shadows, and closely cropped dark hair. He is wearing a black suit jacket, a loose black tie over a white shirt, and there are no visible accessories or items held by him. The background is plain and light, emphasizing the man's shadowed figure.
Robert Longo, Brooke Alexander, Inc., Mark, 1983, lithograph on wove Arches paper, Gift of Beverly and Christopher With in memory of Karl and Gerda With, 2021.78.8

Mark

Robert Longo, Brooke Alexander, Inc. · 1983 · lithograph on wove Arches paper ·  Accession ID  2021.78.8
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Talking Heads/David Byrne at the Casino

Robert Longo · 1986 · lithograph with diamond dust ·  Accession ID  2008.115.198
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Jules / Gretchen / Mark

Robert Longo · 1983 · lithograph in black on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2008.115.199

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