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Robert Rauschenberg — Watermark
Robert Rauschenberg

Watermark

1973

Robert Rauschenberg's 1973 offset lithograph and screenprint, *Watermark*, exemplifies the artist's groundbreaking approach to image-making, seamlessly blending disparate visual elements into a cohesive and thought-provoking composition. The work immediately captivates with its intricate layering, where a vibrant, textured pink form anchors the left side, contrasting with a more subdued, collage-like field of imagery across the remainder of the sheet. Rauschenberg masterfully employs found photographs and commercial graphics, creating a dynamic interplay between abstraction and representation. A prominent central section reveals a dense crowd of figures, reminiscent of newspaper clippings, punctuated by the graphic silhouette of a car wheel, a recurring motif in his oeuvre. This juxtaposition of anonymous faces and industrial iconography speaks to the pervasive visual language of contemporary society, a theme Rauschenberg consistently explored. Further details unfold across the surface, including a classical scene from an open book, rendered in rich blues, which introduces a historical or mythological counterpoint to the modern imagery. Bands of golden-brown elements, some resembling torn paper or adhesive tape, traverse the composition, adding textural variety and a sense of spontaneous construction. These elements not only structure the visual field but also hint at the process of assemblage, a hallmark of Rauschenberg's artistic practice. The subtle presence of a galloping horse in the lower right adds another layer of narrative ambiguity, inviting viewers to connect seemingly unrelated fragments. Through the sophisticated interplay of offset lithography and screenprint, Rauschenberg achieves a remarkable depth and luminosity, transforming everyday imagery into a complex meditation on perception, memory, and the constant flux of information.

Medium
Offset lithograph in colors with screenprint on Arches
Location
Wright, Chicago, United States

🔨 Auction Lot

Wright: 20|21 Art: The Chicago Edition (July 2022)

July 14, 2022

Estimate: $2,500 to $3,500

Lot 268

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About this work

Robert Rauschenberg, Watermark, 1973

Robert Rauschenberg's 1973 offset lithograph and screenprint, *Watermark*, exemplifies the artist's groundbreaking approach to image-making, seamlessly blending disparate visual elements into a cohesive and thought-provoking composition. The work immediately captivates with its intricate layering, where a vibrant, textured pink form anchors the left side, contrasting with a more subdued, collage-like field of imagery across the remainder of the sheet. Rauschenberg masterfully employs found photographs and commercial graphics, creating a dynamic interplay between abstraction and representation. A prominent central section reveals a dense crowd of figures, reminiscent of newspaper clippings, punctuated by the graphic silhouette of a car wheel, a recurring motif in his oeuvre. This juxtaposition of anonymous faces and industrial iconography speaks to the pervasive visual language of contemporary society, a theme Rauschenberg consistently explored. Further details unfold across the surface, including a classical scene from an open book, rendered in rich blues, which introduces a historical or mythological counterpoint to the modern imagery. Bands of golden-brown elements, some resembling torn paper or adhesive tape, traverse the composition, adding textural variety and a sense of spontaneous construction. These elements not only structure the visual field but also hint at the process of assemblage, a hallmark of Rauschenberg's artistic practice. The subtle presence of a galloping horse in the lower right adds another layer of narrative ambiguity, inviting viewers to connect seemingly unrelated fragments. Through the sophisticated interplay of offset lithography and screenprint, Rauschenberg achieves a remarkable depth and luminosity, transforming everyday imagery into a complex meditation on perception, memory, and the constant flux of information.

Medium
Offset lithograph in colors with screenprint on Arches
Year
1973
Seen at
Wright, Chicago, United States

Related themes

Assemblage, Cultural Commentary, Conceptual, Offset Lithograph, Male Artist, Found Images, Mixed Media, Postmodern, Printmaking, Neo Dada, Industrial Imagery, Collage, American Artist, Screenprint, Pop Art, Large Format, Multicolor, Crowd Scene, Urban Imagery, Abstract, Figurative

More works by Robert Rauschenberg

Collected by

Sebastián In Situ, Sebastián Naranjo, Alex Capecelatro, Becky Cohen, Art Institute of Chicago, Gigi Rutkowski