Modern Art 1940–1980

On View: East Building, Upper Level

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78 artworks on view.

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The image shows bold, curving shapes creating three distinct sections on the canvas. The top and bottom display vibrant red-orange forms contrasting against a large dark center. The abstract design resembles an inverted 'M' at the top and a rounded mound at the bottom, suggesting landscape horizons or flowing fabrics. The simplicity of the abstract forms utilizes bold color and form to challenge the viewer's perception of familiar objects.

Stretch of Black III

Leon Polk Smith

1961

Oil on canvas  Accession ID  1971.89.1

On View: East Building Upper Level, Gallery E406
A black and white triangle to our left floats against a black background, and a black and white strip extends from the triangle at the center of the composition to our right in this abstract horizontal painting. The triangle to our left is set so the long edge, across from a right angle, cuts across the lower left corner of the canvas, extending off both edges. This main triangle is filled with black and white curved, straight, and angled lines in shapes reminiscent of letters and symbols. Similar marks fill the narrow strip that spans the right half of the painting, connecting the right angle of the triangle with the right edge of the canvas. The area behind the triangle and strip is flat black.

Untitled (Alabama)

Norman Lewis

1967

Oil on canvas  Accession ID  2009.45.1

On View: East Building Upper Level, Gallery E406
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Clarinet Bridge

Claes Oldenburg

1992

Canvas, wood, clothesline, polyurethane foam, resin, and latex paint  Accession ID  1995.38.1

On View: East Building Upper Level, Gallery E407

First Theme

Burgoyne Diller

1964

Oil on canvas  Accession ID  1994.82.2

On View: East Building Upper Level, Gallery E407
The image displays overlapping geometric shapes such as rectangles and parallelograms arranged in an abstract formation. The shapes are colored in vibrant hues like red, blue, green, yellow, and purple, intersecting at various angles. The pattern resembles a chaotic mosaic or tangled web, reminiscent of a city map. The bold, solid colors create a dynamic composition that leads the eye in multiple directions across the canvas.

Hawk's Return

William T. Williams

1969-1970

Acrylic on canvas  Accession ID  2025.35.1

On View: East Building Upper Level, Gallery E407

Transfluent Lines

I. Rice Pereira

1946

Mixed media on corrugated glass and fiberboard  Accession ID  1973.71.2

On View: East Building Upper Level, Gallery E407
In this painting, vertical lines of varying color and thickness have been painted on the center-left side of a light-colored canvas. The stripes are deep blue-green, brown, vivid orange, dark blue, bright yellow, dark red, light green, purple, and dark green. These stripes have been painted next to one another with no space in between. They stretch in straight lines from the bottom of the canvas almost to the top, with a small gap in between. Blank, off-white canvas is visible on either side of this group of lines, with more space on the left than on the right. The lines are mostly straight, although there are some small areas of imperfection where the colors slightly overlap or blend together.

1-33

Morris Louis

1962

Acrylic on canvas  Accession ID  1976.64.1

On View: East Building Upper Level, Gallery E407
This sculpture is an arrangement of fluorescent light tubes against a plain wall. The tubes are of different lengths and are all placed vertically. In the center are two tall tubes, with a series of shorter tubes extending to the left and right. They create a tiered triangle shape with a line extending from the bottom that looks similar to a blocky arrow pointing upwards. The tubes cast white light on the wall behind them.

"monument" for V. Tatlin

Dan Flavin

1969-1970

Cool white fluorescent light  Accession ID  2001.84.1

On View: East Building Upper Level, Gallery E406
The sculpture is composed of fluorescent light tubes arranged in a symmetrical pattern. The tubes are vertically aligned in a configuration that forms an elongated diamond shape. The lights emit a soft white glow, illuminating the surrounding area. The sculpture is mounted on a wall and appears to be composed of materials typically used for fluorescent lighting fixtures, such as glass and metal. The arrangement gives the appearance of a structured and linear design, standing out distinctly against the neutral-colored wall behind it.

"monument" for V. Tatlin

Dan Flavin

1968

Cool white fluorescent light  Accession ID  2001.68.1

On View: East Building Upper Level, Gallery E406
At first glance, this painting appears to be empty, off-white canvas. Upon closer inspection, however, a vertical strip becomes visible on the left side. This strip is a slightly brighter white than the rest of the canvas. The painting is outlined by a thin, dark line.

Arundel XI

Anne Truitt

1974

Pencil and acrylic on canvas  Accession ID  2014.136.126

On View: East Building Upper Level, Gallery E406
The image shows two large vertical white rectangles, divided by a thin black line in the center. The black lines surrounding the white spaces resemble the frames of windows, creating an abstract composition. The stark contrast between the white and black sections emphasizes the geometric shapes and simplicity of the design.

No. 18

John D. McLaughlin

1966

Oil on canvas  Accession ID  2015.19.126

On View: East Building Upper Level, Gallery E406
This colorful painting is comprised of swirling lines and curved shapes in various bright colors filling the canvas. Bright teals, reds, pinks, yellows, browns, and oranges fill the image. The colors are applied in swirling lines, dots, or abstract shapes. Some of the lines crisscross the entire canvas, while others are in a contained area. In some places, the white of the canvas beneath provides a background for the colors.

Agualine

Nancy Graves

1980

Oil on canvas  Accession ID  2010.14.1

On View: East Building Upper Level, Gallery E407

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