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 (6 items)

Herbert Gentry, Meeting Series "B": Our Lives, 1988, mixed media on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Stanley Bard, 1989.76.1, © 1988, Herbert Gentry
Meeting Series B”: Our Lives
Date1988
mixed media on paper
Not on view
Herbert Gentry, Our City, 1998, acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of the artist, 2006.22.1, © 1998, Herbert Gentry
Our City
Date1998
acrylic on canvas
Not on view
Herbert Gentry, L'Homme Vert, 1993, color etching with metallic additions on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of the artist, 2006.22.2, © 1993, Herbert Gentry
L’Homme Vert
Date1993
color etching with metallic additions on paper
Not on view
Herbert Gentry, Ici, 1985, lift ground and aquatint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Stanley Bard, 1989.76.3, © 1985, Herbert Gentry
Ici
Date1985
lift ground and aquatint on paper
Not on view