Virga

April Gornik, Virga, 1992, oil on linen, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James F. Dicke Family, 2013.88.4, © 1992, April Gornik
April Gornik, Virga, 1992, oil on linen, 90 x 76 in. (228.6 x 193.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James F. Dicke Family, 2013.88.4, © 1992, April Gornik

Artwork Details

Title
Virga
Artist
Date
1992
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
90 x 76 in. (228.6 x 193.0 cm)
Copyright
© 1992, April Gornik
Credit Line
Gift of the James F. Dicke Family
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on linen
Classifications
Subjects
  • Waterscape — weather — storm
Object Number
2013.88.4
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2013.88.4

Artwork Description

A virga is a meteorological phenomenon in which precipitation falls from a cloud but evaporated before reaching the ground. April Gornik brings this rare weather event to life in storm clouds that hover over a placid body of water. The pale yellow light between earth and clouds is both bright and brooding, suffusing the scene with a haunting glow. Gornik's expansive, unpeopled landscape is a record of nature and a personal memory.

Works by this artist (10 items)

View all artworks
Gene Davis, King Kong, from the portfolio Series I, 1969, screenprint on canvas mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Florence Coulson Davis, 2002.26.33.4
King Kong, from the portfolio Series I
Artist
Date1969
screenprint on canvas mounted on paperboard
Not on view
Gene Davis, Jack-in-the-Box, from the portfolio Series I, 1969, screenprint on canvas mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Florence Coulson Davis, 2002.26.33.2
Jack-in-the-Box, from the portfolio Series I
Artist
Date1969
screenprint on canvas mounted on paperboard
Not on view
Gene Davis, Sweet Carburetor, from the portfolio Series II, 1969, screenprint on canvas mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Florence Coulson Davis, 2002.26.34.4
Sweet Carburetor, from the portfolio Series II
Artist
Date1969
screenprint on canvas mounted on paperboard
Not on view
Gene Davis, Bullet Proof, from the portfolio Series I, 1969, screenprint on canvas mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Florence Coulson Davis, 2002.26.33.5
Bullet Proof, from the portfolio Series I
Artist
Date1969
screenprint on canvas mounted on paperboard
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

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Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled, 1982, oil stick and waxed crayon on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Sam Rose and Julie Walters, 2018.16
Untitled
Artist
Date1982
oil stick and waxed crayon on paper
Not on view
Jeff Donaldson, Victory in Zimbabwe, 1980, mixed media on cardboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum Purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2019.1, © 2018, Estate of Jeff Donaldson
Victory in Zimbabwe
Artist
Date1980
mixed media on cardboard
Not on view
Miner Kilbourne Kellogg, (Star-shaped structure), pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Martha F. Butler, 1991.56.366
(Star-shaped structure)
Artist
pencil on paper
Not on view
Miner Kilbourne Kellogg, Tabor, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Martha F. Butler, 1991.56.350A-B
Tabor
Artist
pencil on paper
Not on view