1946‑H (Indian Red and Black)

Clyfford Still, 1946-H (Indian Red and Black), 1946, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase from the Vincent Melzac Collection through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1980.5.10
Clyfford Still, 1946-H (Indian Red and Black), 1946, oil on canvas, 78 1468 38 in. (198.8173.7 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase from the Vincent Melzac Collection through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1980.5.10

Artwork Details

Title
1946‑H (Indian Red and Black)
Date
1946
Dimensions
78 1468 38 in. (198.8173.7 cm.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase from the Vincent Melzac Collection through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
1980.5.10

Artwork Description

Clyfford Still often worked using a painter's knife, creating surfaces that are thickly slathered and carved rather than brushed. He was one of the first artists in the United States to discard descriptive titles, using a combination of dates and letters to identify his works instead. He wanted viewers to approach his paintings without preconceptions. "I want no allusions to interfere with or assist the spectator," he stated. "I want [the viewer] to be on [their] own."

What do you see in the jagged shapes and rich color of 1946-H?

Works by this artist (4 items)

Tom Nakashima, Sanctuary at Western Sunset, 1992, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Gail and John Enns, 2008.38
Sanctuary at Western Sunset
Date1992
oil on canvas
On view
Tom Nakashima, Great Stick, 1990, handmade paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Gail and John Enns and museum purchase, 1991.68
Great Stick
Date1990
handmade paper
Not on view
Tom Nakashima, Samurai, 1990, two-color etching on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Anton Gallery Partnership, 1991.37.2, © 1990, Tom Nakashima
Samurai
Date1990
two-color etching on paper
Not on view
Tom Nakashima, Cage, 1990, hand-colored etching and photo etching on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Anton Gallery Partnership, 1991.37.1, © 1990, Tom Nakashima
Cage
Date1990
hand-colored etching and photo etching on paper
Not on view