Central Density

Werner Drewes, Central Density, 1973, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.116
Werner Drewes, Central Density, 1973, oil on canvas, 39 3⁄4 x 33 3⁄4 in. (101 x 85.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.116

Artwork Details

Title
Central Density
Artist
Date
1973
Location
Dimensions
39 3⁄4 x 33 3⁄4 in. (101 x 85.8 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract — geometric
Object Number
1975.116
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1975.116

Artwork Description

Werner Drewes experimented with printmaking his entire life, but considered himself primarily a painter. In Central Density the diagonal lines create a sense of depth, leading from the edges of the canvas to a converging point in the center. The composition evokes mirrors placed at different angles, reflecting and refracting chunks of colored light. It is easy to imagine getting lost in this maze of color, because we cannot tell what is "real" and what is a reflection.

Works by this artist (6 items)

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Alan Goldfarb, Venetian-Style Goblet (Champagne Flute), 1998, Venetian-style blown glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Kenneth R. Trapp in memory of Thomas Hume Slater, Jr., 1999.6.2
Venetian-Style Goblet (Champagne Flute)
Artist
Date1998
Venetian-style blown glass
On view
Alan Goldfarb, Forest Glass Beaker, 1998, medieval-style blown glass with applied prunts, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Kenneth R. Trapp in memory of Thomas Hume Slater, Jr., 1999.6.4
Forest Glass Beaker
Artist
Date1998
medieval-style blown glass with applied prunts
On view
Alan Goldfarb, Shake Your Booty, 1998, blown glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 1999.7
Shake Your Booty
Artist
Date1998
blown glass
On view
Alan Goldfarb, Venetian-Style Goblet (Red Wine Goblet), 1998, Venetian-style blown glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Kenneth R. Trapp in memory of Thomas Hume Slater, Jr., 1999.6.1
Venetian-Style Goblet (Red Wine Goblet)
Artist
Date1998
Venetian-style blown glass
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

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Mark Matthews, Leopardus pardalis (Ocelot), 1998, hot glass and Graal technique, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist and family in honor of Francis M. Greenwell, 1999.21.11, © 1999, Mark Matthews
Leopardus pardalis (Ocelot)
Artist
Date1998
hot glass and Graal technique
On view
Mark Matthews, Neofelis nebulosa (Clouded Leopard), 1998, hot glass and Graal technique, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist and family in honor of Francis M. Greenwell, 1999.21.10, © 1999, Mark Matthews
Neofelis nebulosa (Clouded Leopard)
Artist
Date1998
hot glass and Graal technique
On view
Mark Matthews, Acinonyx jubatus (Cheetah), 1998, hot glass and Graal technique, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist and family in honor of Francis M. Greenwell, 1999.21.9, © 1999, Mark Matthews
Acinonyx jubatus (Cheetah)
Artist
Date1998
hot glass and Graal technique
On view
Mark Matthews, Panthera onca (Jaguar), 1998, hot glass and Graal technique, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist and family in honor of Francis M. Greenwell, 1999.21.7, © 1999, Mark Matthews
Panthera onca (Jaguar)
Artist
Date1998
hot glass and Graal technique
On view