






Black Block
1966
A pristine geometric form rendered in glossy black lacquer over fiberglass and plywood, this minimalist sculpture presents a rectangular block elevated against a neutral ground. The work's highly reflective surface catches and absorbs light, creating subtle tonal variations across its austere planes and emphasizing the immaculate finish characteristic of industrial production methods. McCracken's signature approach merges industrial materials with refined craftsmanship, positioning the work within the lineage of 1960s minimalism where elemental forms and material perfection became vehicles for aesthetic and phenomenological inquiry. The sculpture's commanding yet restrained presence invites contemplation of the relationship between object, space, and perception.
- Medium
- lacquer, fiberglass, plywood
- Spotted At
- Auction House · Rago Auctions
Notes
Pure Edge: American Geometric Abstraction (Selected Works from MACBA Buenos Aires), Rago Auctions, 2026-05-01. Lot 113. Signed, titled and dated to underside ‘Black Block 1966 John McCracken’.
🔨 Auction Lot
Pure Edge: American Geometric Abstraction (Selected Works from MACBA Buenos Aires)
May 1, 2026
Estimate: $80,000 – $120,000
Lot 113
For Sale
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