Untitled by Adolph Gottlieb

Untitled

Adolph Gottlieb · 1972

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“Stop to appreciate this powerful abstract print from 1972, where a radiant orange sun-like form floats above a turbulent, dark landscape, capturing a sense of elemental drama and cosmic balance.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This vibrant aquatint from 1972, created just two years before the artist's death, presents a bold, two-part composition that was a hallmark of his later career. A fiery orange sphere dominates the upper half, its intense color radiating outwards, almost vibrating against the stark white background. Below it, a turbulent mass of deep red and black forms a contrasting element, suggesting a landscape or perhaps a primal force. The tension between these two distinct zones, one seemingly celestial and the other terrestrial, invites contemplation on fundamental forces. Though abstract, the forms evoke a sense of elemental power, a characteristic exploration in the artist's work from this period, simplifying his imagery to its most impactful forms.

DETAILS
Artist
Adolph Gottlieb
Date
1972
Medium
Color aquatint on white wove paper
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
Plate: 56.5 × 44.5 cm (22 1/4 × 17 9/16 in.); Sheet: 80 × 60 cm (31 1/2 × 23 5/8 in.)
Collection
Photography and Media
Credit line
Purchased with funds provided by Zell Family Foundation
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Untitled
01

The intense, glowing orange sphere at the top, almost pulsing with energy.

02

The turbulent, dark mass below, a mix of deep red and black.

03

The stark contrast between the smooth sphere and the textured lower form.

04

The way the white paper acts as a vibrant background, not just empty space.

AUDIO DEEP DIVE

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THE ARTIST

Adolph Gottlieb

1903–1974 · United States

Adolph Gottlieb, a pioneering Abstract Expressionist, transformed his style after living in the Arizona desert, leading to his iconic 'Pictographs' and 'Bursts'.

Read Gottlieb’s full story
KEEP EXPLORING

More works to explore

Beyond Gottlieb: works from the same years.

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