A‑1961

Paul Burlin, A-1961, 1961, oil and collage on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., 1968.52.1
Paul Burlin, A-1961, 1961, oil and collage on canvas, 53 7860 in. (137.0152.4 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., 1968.52.1

Artwork Details

Title
A‑1961
Artist
Date
1961
Dimensions
53 7860 in. (137.0152.4 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
Mediums Description
oil and collage on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
1968.52.1

Artwork Description

Paul Burlin was not interested in representing anything specific, and the densely textured brushstrokes of A-1961 dominate the image in broad sweeping lines, splatters, and faint scribbles of color. He reworked the canvas, adding new layers of color and form until he was happy with the overall effect. As a result, we can see ghosts of shapes floating just under the surface of the lighter colors, providing subtle hints of how the final image evolved.

Works by this artist (27 items)

Arthur B. Davies, Sculpture of a Bather, ca. 1916-1918, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of LaSalle Spier, 1980.124.10
Sculpture of a Bather
Dateca. 1916-1918
bronze
On view
Arthur B. Davies, A Greater Morning, ca. 1900-1905, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1985.69
A Greater Morning
Dateca. 1900-1905
oil on canvas
On view
Arthur B. Davies, Rab and Dave, 1896, lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 1978.86.1
Rab and Dave
Date1896
lithograph on paper
Not on view
Arthur B. Davies, Moonlight on the Grassy Bank, 1919, soft-ground etching, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Marjorie Tyre Sykes, 1985.49.1
Moonlight on the Grassy Bank
Date1919
soft-ground etching
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Thomas Mann, L'Tetan, 1993, silver, copper, brass, nickel, Plexiglas, and color photocopy, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lloyd E. Herman, founding director and director emeritus of the Renwick Gallery (1971-1986), 1997.72.3, © 1993, Thomas Mann
L’Tetan
Date1993
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Not on view
Thomas Mann, Nowaykesugga, 1993, silver, copper, brass, nickel, Plexiglas, and color photocopy, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lloyd E. Herman, founding director and director emeritus of the Renwick Gallery (1971-1986), 1997.72.6
Nowaykesugga
Date1993
silver, copper, brass, nickel, Plexiglas, and color photocopy
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Thomas Mann, Nesouaquoit, 1993, silver, copper, brass, nickel, Plexiglas, and color photocopy, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lloyd E. Herman, founding director and director emeritus of the Renwick Gallery (1971-1986), 1997.72.5
Nesouaquoit
Date1993
silver, copper, brass, nickel, Plexiglas, and color photocopy
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Shauhaunapotinia
Date1993
silver, copper, brass, nickel, Plexiglas, and color photocopy
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