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John McCracken — Red Column
John McCracken

Red Column

1968

A tall, slender rectangular prism rendered in vivid red, this minimalist sculpture exemplifies the reductive aesthetic of contemporary art. The work's polished surface and clean geometric form create a striking presence, with subtle gradations in tone suggesting volume and depth. Cast in wood and finished to a high gloss, the monochromatic column stands in stark contrast to its neutral background, drawing attention to the interplay of light and shadow across its planes.

Medium
resin and fiberglass on wood
Overall

Notes

Contemporary Day Auction, Sotheby's, sale on 2026-05-15.

🔨 Auction Lot

Contemporary Day Auction

May 15, 2026

For Sale

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About this work

John McCracken, Red Column, 1968

A tall, slender rectangular prism rendered in vivid red, this minimalist sculpture exemplifies the reductive aesthetic of contemporary art. The work's polished surface and clean geometric form create a striking presence, with subtle gradations in tone suggesting volume and depth. Cast in wood and finished to a high gloss, the monochromatic column stands in stark contrast to its neutral background, drawing attention to the interplay of light and shadow across its planes.

Medium
resin and fiberglass on wood
Dimensions
overall: 223.5 x 61 x 61 cm
Year
1968
Seen at
Sotheby's, New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris

Related themes

Modern Sculpture, Vertical Composition, Three Dimensional Art, Red Column, Reductive Art, Geometric Form, Color Field, Minimalist Sculpture, Wood Construction, Abstract Minimalism, Contemporary Art, Monochromatic Work, Polished Surface

More works by John McCracken

Collected by

Alex Capecelatro, Sharrissa Iqbal