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Adolph Gottlieb, 1967
Adolph Gottlieb's "Jetsam" is a powerful Abstract Expressionist screenprint, showcasing his signature 'Burst' style with its dynamic interplay of elemental forms and bold colors. It invites viewers to find personal meaning in its abstract shapes and emotional depth.
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Adolph Gottlieb's "Jetsam" from 1967 is a striking example of his late-career work, firmly rooted in the Abstract Expressionist movement he helped pioneer. By this time, Gottlieb had refined his artistic language, moving beyond the 'Pictographs' of the 1940s and the 'Imaginary Landscapes' of the early 1950s to focus on his iconic 'Burst' series. "Jetsam" fits within this period, showcasing his mastery as a colorist and his ability to simplify forms to their most essential elements while still conveying profound emotional truth. Though the title "Jetsam" might evoke discarded objects from the sea, Gottlieb often emphasized that his images were not meant to be literally interpreted, but rather to prompt personal free-association and emotional resonance. This screenprint, with its bold, elemental shapes and vibrant colors, embodies the 'realism of our time' that Gottlieb sought to express—a visual representation of the subconscious and the universal human experience, distilled into abstract form.
The large, dominant circular form in the upper register
The contrasting, more chaotic mass below
The interplay of vibrant colors, characteristic of Gottlieb's 'Burst' series
Adolph Gottlieb's "Jetsam" is a powerful Abstract Expressionist screenprint, showcasing his signature 'Burst' style with its dynamic interplay of elemental for…
Adolph Gottlieb, a pioneering Abstract Expressionist, transformed his style after living in the Arizona desert, leading to his iconic 'Pictographs' and 'Bursts'.
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