Artwork
Multiplication of the Arcs
Multiplication of the Arcs is an oil painting by the Abstract Expressionist artist Yves Tanguy. It dates from 1954 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Multiplication of the Arcs is a 1954 oil painting by Yves Tanguy, part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The work features a complex arrangement of abstract shapes in varied grays, accented with blue and yellow, set against a muted gray sky with darker cloud forms.
Subject & Meaning
The painting's subject is abstract, conveying a dreamlike atmosphere through overlapping shapes of disparate sizes, which generate a sense of layered depth. The predominance of gray tones imbues the piece with calmness and serenity.
Technique & Style
Tanguy employs oil paint to create a nuanced palette dominated by grayscale, punctuated by selective blue and yellow accents. The technique emphasizes shape and spatial relationship, characteristic of Tanguy's surrealist approach.
History & Provenance
Created in 1954, the painting is currently held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, though its acquisition history and any previous ownership are not detailed here.
Context
Multiplication of the Arcs reflects Tanguy's contribution to Surrealism, a movement exploring the subconscious and the world of dreams through unconventional imagery and techniques.
Legacy
While specific influences or notable exhibitions of 'Multiplication of the Arcs' are not highlighted here, it remains a representative work of Tanguy's surrealist output, potentially inspiring similar dreamlike compositions in subsequent artists.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Raymond Georges Yves Tanguy, known as just Yves Tanguy, was a French Surrealist painter, known for his abstract landscapes.
