Paul Kasmin Gallery's Robert Motherwell Early Paintings exhibition reconsiders the artist's formative years
From September 7 to October 28, 2017, the Paul Kasmin Gallery in New York City hosted "Robert Motherwell: Early Paintings," marking the second showcase of his initial works. Situated at 293 Tenth Avenue, the exhibition displayed 18 artworks from the 1940s and 1950s, offering new insights into Motherwell's artistic evolution. Notable pieces from his 1941 journey to Mexico included "Three Figures" and "La Belle Mexicaine." Influenced by Piet Mondrian, the exhibition featured "Recuerdo de Coyoacán," "The Sentinel," and "The Spanish Prison (Window)." Additionally, "Orange Personage" illustrated Motherwell's transition to abstraction, while his early career was notably shaped by Meyer Schapiro.
Key facts
- Exhibition ran September 7 to October 28, 2017
- Featured 18 early paintings from 1940s-1950s
- Only second exhibition ever of Motherwell's early paintings
- Included first public display of Three Figures, c. 1941
- Showcased works inspired by Mondrian's 1942 Valentine Dudensing Gallery exhibition
- Orange Personage, 1947 incorporated sand from East Hampton beaches
- Exhibition included loans from Dedalus Foundation
- Motherwell's academic background included Stanford, Harvard, and Columbia
Entities
Artists
- Robert Motherwell
- Eugène Delacroix
- Piet Mondrian
- Joan Miró
- Roberto Matta
- Meyer Schapiro
Institutions
- Paul Kasmin Gallery
- Dedalus Foundation
- Stanford
- Harvard
- University of Grenoble
- Columbia
- Valentine Dudensing Gallery
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Mexico
- France
- Paris
- East Hampton