Untitled, 1973

lithograph and screenprint on 100% rag paper
paper: 12 x 9 inches
frame: 13 1/2 x 10 inches
Edition of 300
Signed and numbered in pencil lower left
Stamped on verso "© Copyright 1973 By Robert Rauschenberg Printed by Styria Studio"
Printer Styria Studio Publisher Experiments in Art & Technology

Provenance
Collection of Ileana Sonnabend & the Estate of Nina Castelli Sundell
Christie’s New York, July 29, 2016, Lot 536, Sale Number 12209
Private Collection, New York, acquired from the above

Museum Collections
National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
Museum of Modern Art, New York
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis

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Additional Photos

Rauschenberg's vision of painting extended far beyond conventional brushwork. He adopted a multitude of techniques, from silkscreening to collaging, transferring and imprinting and applied them to an extensive array of materials.

ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG'S VISION

Robert Rauschenberg's artistic journey was a remarkable odyssey through some of the world's most renowned institutions and influential friendships. He embarked on his path at the Kansas City Art Institute and ventured overseas to the Académie Julian in Paris. His quest for knowledge continued at North Carolina's Black Mountain College, where the illustrious Josef Albers became his mentor. It was at Black Mountain that Rauschenberg forged enduring friendships with luminaries like Merce Cunningham, John Cageand David Tudor. His move to New York in 1949 led him to the Art Students League, adding another chapter to his artistic education.

Rauschenberg's vision of painting extended far beyond conventional brushwork. He adopted a multitude of techniques, from silkscreening to collaging, transferringand imprintingand applied them to an extensive array of materials. The artistic world took note in 1951 when Rauschenberg hosted his first solo exhibition at the prestigious Betty Parsons Gallery in New York. Yet, it was in 1953 that he broke new ground with his "combines," seamlessly merging tangible fragments of reality and found objects with the abstract realms of painting and sculpture. This marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of his artistry.

Rauschenberg's creative spirit was not confined to canvas and sculpture alone. He ventured into the realms of theater and dance, leveraging his talents to design sets and costumes for luminaries such as Merce Cunningham and Trisha Brown. His forays into electronic art experimentation were groundbreaking, culminating in the establishment of "Experiments in Art and Technology, Inc." alongside electronics engineer Billy Kluver in 1966. This endeavor epitomized Rauschenberg's fascination with the intersection of art and technology.

In the early 1970s, the remarkable organization "Experiments in Art and Technology" (E.A.T.) embarked on an ambitious mission. Recognizing the significance of American art practices from the 1960s, spanning Pop Art, Minimalismand conceptual art, they aimed to assemble a distinguished collection to be donated to a public museum. The Moderna Museet in Stockholm, with its storied history of supporting contemporary American art, was the chosen beneficiary of this extraordinary collection. To finance this endeavor, E.A.T. invited thirty prominent artists, each tasked with creating a work of art as part of a portfolio predominantly featuring lithographs and screen prints. This endeavor resulted in the creation of "The New York Collection for Stockholm" portfolio.

Founded in 1966 by engineers Billy Klüver and Fred Waldhauer, alongside artists Robert Rauschenberg and Robert Whitman, E.A.T. was envisioned as a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the convergence of technology and art. Their programs fostered collaborations between artists, engineers and scientists. The organization's core objectives, as articulated by Klüver and Rauschenberg, aimed to promote the harmonious union of new technology and the arts, break down barriers between individuals and technological advancements and kindle innovation within the realms of industry and culture.

In essence, Robert Rauschenberg's life and work were a testament to the boundless possibilities of artistic exploration and the profound impact of such collaboration. His legacy continues to inspire artists, engineers and visionaries across the world.

Untitled

Untitled, 1973

Additional Photos

Rauschenberg's vision of painting extended far beyond conventional brushwork. He adopted a multitude of techniques, from silkscreening to collaging, transferring and imprinting and applied them to an extensive array of materials.

ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG'S VISION

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