Untitled (Blue Painting)

George Morrison, Untitled (Blue Painting), 1958, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2021.12, © 2020, Briand Morrison
George Morrison, Untitled (Blue Painting), 1958, oil on canvas, overall: 41 × 54 in. (104.1 × 137.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2021.12, © 2020, Briand Morrison

Artwork Details

Title
Untitled (Blue Painting)
Date
1958
Dimensions
overall: 41 × 54 in. (104.1 × 137.2 cm)
Copyright
© 2020, Briand Morrison
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
2021.12

Artwork Description

"The basis of all art," George Morrison once stated, "is nature." Suggestions of sky, water, and rock emerge often in his abstract paintings. A member of the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa, Morrison grew up in a rural community on the rugged northern shore of Lake Superior before studying art in Minneapolis and New York City.

The luminous quality of this work was achieved through the application of blue, green, red, and orange paint over a darker maroon background. Projecting a quiet yet joyous mood, Untitled (Blue Painting) suggests a sublime vision of a natural scene.

Works by this artist (10 items)

Barbara Kruger, Untitled (We Will No Longer Be Seen and Not Heard), 1985, 9 prints, photo-offset lithograph and screenprint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, VR.1986.50A-I
Untitled (We Will No Longer Be Seen and Not Heard)
Date1985
9 prints, photo-offset lithograph and screenprint
Not on view
Barbara Kruger, Untitled (No), from the Untitled Portfolio, 1985, photo-offset lithograph and screenprint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1986.50H
Untitled (No), from the Untitled Portfolio
Date1985
photo-offset lithograph and screenprint on paper
Not on view
Barbara Kruger, Untitled (And), from the Untitled Portfolio, 1985, photo-offset lithograph and screenprint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1986.50A
Untitled (And), from the Untitled Portfolio
Date1985
photo-offset lithograph and screenprint on paper
Not on view
Barbara Kruger, Untitled (Will), from the Untitled Portfolio, 1985, photo-offset lithograph and screenprint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1986.50F
Untitled (Will), from the Untitled Portfolio
Date1985
photo-offset lithograph and screenprint on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Franco Mondini-Ruiz, Crystal City, 2009, mixed media installation, including glass, crystal, silver, plastic, and ceramic objects, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Henry R. Muñoz III in honor of Debra Guerrero, 2013.48.1, © 2009, Franco Mondini-Ruiz
Crystal City
Date2009
mixed media installation, including glass, crystal, silver, plastic, and ceramic objects
Not on view
David Esterly, Thomas Jefferson's Letter Rack, 2017, limewood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of Candace and Michael Humphreys, 2023.55
Thomas Jefferson’s Letter Rack
Date2017
limewood
Not on view