Desert Cloud

Michael Peterson, Desert Cloud, 1988, maple burl, 4 1⁄4 x 16 x 14 1⁄2 in. (10.8 x 40.7 x 36.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Jane and Arthur K. Mason on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 1996.98.8

Artwork Details

Title
Desert Cloud
Artist
Date
1988
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
4 1⁄4 x 16 x 14 1⁄2 in. (10.8 x 40.7 x 36.8 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Jane and Arthur K. Mason on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery
Mediums
Mediums Description
maple burl
Classifications
Object Number
1996.98.8
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1996.98.8

Artwork Description

Michael Peterson's desert pieces exploit the unusual formations within burls. He combines bleached colors with smooth, worn surfaces to evoke objects eroded by the movement of desert dunes. The soft curves and hints of texture in Desert Cloud and White Stone Desert #2 recall artifacts that have been unearthed after centuries hidden in the sand.

Works by this artist (1036 items)

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William H. Johnson, Breakdown with Flat Tire, ca. 1940-1941, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.587
Breakdown with Flat Tire
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, Chain Gang, ca. 1939, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.675
Chain Gang
Artist
Dateca. 1939
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, Ferry Boat Trip, ca. 1943-1944, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1011
Ferry Boat Trip
Artist
Dateca. 1943-1944
oil on paperboard
On view
William H. Johnson, Young Pastry Cook, ca. 1928-1930, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.693
Young Pastry Cook
Artist
Dateca. 1928-1930
oil on canvas
On view

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William H. Johnson, Portrait of a Woman in Profile, ca. 1944, recto: pen and ink and pencil on paper verso: pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.485R-V
Portrait of a Woman in Profile
Artist
Dateca. 1944
recto: pen and ink and pencil on paper verso: pen and ink on paper
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, On the Name of Susan, 1971, collage with ink, paint and pencil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.331
On the Name of Susan
Artist
Date1971
collage with ink, paint and pencil on paperboard
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Breakdown Scene, ca. 1940-1941, pen and ink with pencil or carbon transfer on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.483
Breakdown Scene
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
pen and ink with pencil or carbon transfer on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Two Portrait Heads of a Woman, ca. 1930-1935, pen and ink and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.395
Two Portrait Heads of a Woman
Artist
Dateca. 1930-1935
pen and ink and pencil on paper
Not on view