Untitled

Adolph Gottlieb, 1972

MEDIUMColor aquatint on white wove paper
DIMENSIONSPlate: 56.5 × 44.5 cm (22 1/4 × 17 9/16 in.); Sheet: 80 × 60 cm (31 1/2 × 23 5/8 in.)
LOCATIONArt Institute of Chicago
COLLECTIONPhotography and Media
CREDIT LINEPurchased with funds provided by Zell Family Foundation

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.

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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.

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What to Notice

1

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

2

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

3

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

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Audio Deep Dive

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…

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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'.

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