large abstract painting in multicolored pigments; thick, blue bands of color across top and left side of canvas; light orange squared off section with darker puce wash of color overlapping and merging outwards toward center left edge; two curving bands of yellow pigment in upper right edge of canvas; vertical green and red bands of pigment in URC; smeary wash of puce pigment with dimension in LRQ; thin pink horizontal line in LRQ

%C2%A9 Estate of Helen Frankenthaler %2F Artists Rights Society %28ARS%29%2C NY

Rio Grande, 1987

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Acrylic on canvasexpand_more

Gift of Mary and Bob Merskyexpand_more  2018.104.5

On View in Gallery 378expand_more

Closely identified with the second generation of Abstract Expressionists, Frankenthaler invariably used the basic visual elements of color and pictorial space as a means to achieve an emotional resonance in her non-objective compositions. Her innovative technique of pouring diluted paint directly on unprimed canvas-known as stain painting-was her signature style. This act of pouring became a literal metaphor for larger concepts like nature. Using line, color and texture, her aim is always to make beautiful works that evoke deeper emotions. In Rio Grande, 1987, Frankenthaler chose vivid blues and a muddied red punctuated by gesture marks.

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Details
Title
Rio Grande
Artist Life
1928-2011
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2018.104.5
Curator Approved

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large abstract painting in multicolored pigments; thick, blue bands of color across top and left side of canvas; light orange squared off section with darker puce wash of color overlapping and merging outwards toward center left edge; two curving bands of yellow pigment in upper right edge of canvas; vertical green and red bands of pigment in URC; smeary wash of puce pigment with dimension in LRQ; thin pink horizontal line in LRQ

© Estate of Helen Frankenthaler / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

Because of © restrictions, we can only show you a small image of this artwork. (You'll have to come see it in person.)