Amendment #8

Mark Bradford, Amendment #8, 2014, mixed media, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Lohrfink Foundation and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2015.34, © 2014, Mark Bradford
Mark Bradford, Amendment #8, 2014, mixed media, 48 14 × 60 in. (122.6 × 152.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Lohrfink Foundation and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2015.34, © 2014, Mark Bradford

Artwork Details

Title
Amendment #8
Date
2014
Dimensions
48 14 × 60 in. (122.6 × 152.4 cm)
Copyright
© 2014, Mark Bradford
Credit Line
Gift of the Lohrfink Foundation and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
Mediums Description
mixed media
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
2015.34

Artwork Description

What words or phrases can you make out on the surface of this painting? The text comes from the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution, which forbids the use of "cruel and unusual punishments."

This work is part of a series Mark Bradford made about the Bill of Rights. Inspired by the idea that a piece of paper could embody fundamental human liberties, Bradford used paper as his medium--wetting it, building it up, and scraping it down so that it became a dense cake of multicolored pulp.

The words are buried within the paper's layers. While some are visible, most float in and out of legibility, just as certain people and ideas have come into focus at different times in our history. Reflecting on the Constitution, Bradford marvels that "we will never understand the entire document. . . . Its meaning glimmers."

Works by this artist (1 item)

Leo Breslau, Plowing, 1934, oil on wood: plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Department of Labor, 1964.1.2
Plowing
Date1934
oil on wood: plywood
Not on view

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      Artist Mark Bradford discusses his use of materials, his interest in abstraction, and his thoughts on having Amendment #8 in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

      More Artworks from the Collection

      Arnold Blanch, Harvest Scene (mural study, Fredonia, New York Post Office), ca. 1937, tempera on illustration board, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Internal Revenue Service through the General Services Administration
, 1962.8.28
      Harvest Scene (mural study, Fredonia, New York Post Office)
      Dateca. 1937
      tempera on illustration board
      Not on view
      William H. Johnson, Bearded Man in Tan Chair, ca. 1939-1940, tempera on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.285
      Bearded Man in Tan Chair
      Dateca. 1939-1940
      tempera on paperboard
      Not on view
      William H. Johnson, Seated Woman with Red Hair and Blue Dress, ca. 1939-1940, tempera on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.296
      Seated Woman with Red Hair and Blue Dress
      Dateca. 1939-1940
      tempera on paperboard
      Not on view