Helen Frankenthaler's 1952 painting 'Mountains and Sea' on extended loan to National Gallery of Art

Helen Frankenthaler's seminal 1952 painting 'Mountains and Sea' has been placed on extended loan to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The work, measuring 86-5/8 by 117-1/4 inches, was created using oil and charcoal on canvas. Frankenthaler completed this influential piece in 1952, which became a landmark in the development of Color Field painting. The painting's current location at the National Gallery of Art makes it accessible to the public in the nation's capital. Copyright for the work is held by Helen Frankenthaler through Artists Rights Society (ARS) in New York. The loan arrangement represents a significant addition to the museum's holdings of postwar American art. Frankenthaler's innovative soak-stain technique, demonstrated in this painting, influenced generations of artists. The extended loan ensures this important work remains available for public viewing and scholarly study.