Artist:
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Jennifer Bartlett
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Title:
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Sculptmetal Tree
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Date:
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2000
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Medium:
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Enamel over Sculptmetal over screenprint on baked enamel on steel plates
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Dimensions:
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103 x 103 in. (261.62 x 261.62 cm)
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Credit Line:
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Gift of Helen and J. Kimball Whitney
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Location:
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Gallery ArtsCafe
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In 1968 artist Jennifer Bartlett began painting in what would become her celebrated and trademark styleââcolored dots on gridded steel plates and canvas. Focusing on these single and multi-plate pieces, Bartlettâs pivotal Rhapsody, 1976 (Museum of Modern Art, New York) dazzled the art world. Sculptmetal Tree is a classic example of Bartlettâs mature style and innovative use of baked enamel on steel. Comprised of 44 steel plates, this work is a contemporary sequel to late 19th century and early 20th century Post-Impressionist landscapes. The rigid structure of the paintingâs grid is tempered by the reaching tree branches and drips of paint running down each tile. This combination of seemingly opposing styles creates a unique play of minimalist abstraction and figurative expressionism. Analytical and lyrical, this work reflects the artistâs transformation of the prevailing Minimalist aesthetic of the 1960s into something distinctly her own.
Artist/Creator(s)
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Name:
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Bartlett, Jennifer
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Nationality:
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American
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Life Dates:
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American, born 1941
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Object Description
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Inscriptions:
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Signature, Date and Label on back of rr, in black ink: [J. Bartlett / 2000] on back of each plate: artist's label including installation position
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Classification:
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Paintings
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Physical Description:
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image of tree made up of dots of color painted on white with tan gridded enameled steel tiles; tree trunk and branches are grey-brown and in low relief; 44 tiles total; tiles installed in grid pattern with some empty spaces--see photo of installation in file
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Creation Place:
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North America, United States, , ,
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Accession #:
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2011.34a-rr
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Owner:
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The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
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