Untitled

Copied Melvin Lindquist, Untitled, 1972, maple, 75 12 in. diam. (17.814.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Judith and Jonathan Knight, 2003.67.1

Artwork Details

Title
Untitled
Date
1972
Dimensions
75 12 in. diam. (17.814.0 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Judith and Jonathan Knight
Mediums Description
maple
Classifications
Object Number
2003.67.1

Artwork Description

Melvin Lindquist was ridiculed by other woodworkers when he first turned bowls with natural edges, splits, and defects, but his willingness to push boundaries helped redefine his craft and ideas of beauty. He often let wood dry up to fifteen years before working with it, which allowed the decaying wood to stabilize. The fine black lines in Untitled are a result of bacteria or fungi in the wood called spalting. Lindquist often used classical forms in his pieces, as in Untitled, highlighting the overall beauty of the wood—imperfections included.