Untitled Vessel

Ralph Bacerra, Untitled Vessel, 2000, earthenware with overglazed enamels and metallic lusters, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Greenberg Foundation, Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser, and Carol and Charles Rademaker and their children Garth and Louise, 2002.4A-B
Ralph Bacerra, Untitled Vessel, 2000, earthenware with overglazed enamels and metallic lusters, 34 3416 12 in. (88.341.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Greenberg Foundation, Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser, and Carol and Charles Rademaker and their children Garth and Louise, 2002.4A-B

Artwork Details

Title
Untitled Vessel
Date
2000
Dimensions
34 3416 12 in. (88.341.9 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of The Greenberg Foundation, Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser, and Carol and Charles Rademaker and their children Garth and Louise
Mediums Description
earthenware with overglazed enamels and metallic lusters
Classifications
Object Number
2002.4A-B

Artwork Description

Ralph Bacerra uses spiraling lines, squares, dots, and incisions to lead the eye around the entire piece. He makes no preliminary sketches before starting a new vessel, relying on each element of his work to inspire him as he goes along. As he says, “I put a color down and that leads to another color and shapes begin to emerge . . .” (quoted in American Style, Summer 2001). The bold colors for which Bacerra is known stem from the varying temperatures in the kiln.

Works by this artist (6 items)

Brice Marden, #4, from the Untitled Press Series, 1972, lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the C.K. Williams Foundation and the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2008.9.4
#4, from the Untitled Press Series
Date1972
lithograph on paper
Not on view
Brice Marden, #6, from the Untitled Press Series, 1972, lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the C.K. Williams Foundation and the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2008.9.6
#6, from the Untitled Press Series
Date1972
lithograph on paper
Not on view
Brice Marden, #2, from the Untitled Press Series, 1972, lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the C.K. Williams Foundation and the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2008.9.2
#2, from the Untitled Press Series
Date1972
lithograph on paper
Not on view
Brice Marden, #3, from the Untitled Press Series, 1972, lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the C.K. Williams Foundation and the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2008.9.3
#3, from the Untitled Press Series
Date1972
lithograph on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Claire Falkenstein, City is Man, 1941-1952, linocut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.14, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
City is Man
Date1941-1952
linocut
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Untitled
Date1976
embossed paper
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Mandala, 1977, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.19, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Mandala
Date1977
lithograph
Not on view
Les Quais de la Seine a Paris
Date1917
hand-colored etching on postcard
Not on view