Tom Wesselmann, (New York, Ohio, 1931-2004)
Detail; Monica Sitting with Mondrian, c. 1989
Screenprint
41 x 27 in
Private collection
Tom Wesselmann, (New York, Ohio, 1931-2004)
Monica Sitting with Mondrian, c. 1989
Screenprint
41 x 27 in
Private collection
Mondrian refers to the artist whose painting is shown behind the model.
Wesselmann’s most famous series, “Great American Nude” (1961–73), channels the brazen energy of American advertising and features flat, faceless female figures whom the artist often situated among stars and stripes. More on this painting
The artist always refrains from developing the facial features of the sitters, as is the case in the work presented here. The attractive model Monica sits undressed and in a lascivious pose in front of one of the modern classics, a work by Piet Mondrian.
Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan (7 March 1872 – 1 February 1944), was a Dutch painter and theoretician who is regarded as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. He is known for being one of the pioneers of 20th century abstract art, as he changed his artistic direction from figurative painting to an increasingly abstract style, until he reached a point where his artistic vocabulary was reduced to simple geometric elements. More on Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan
Tom Wesselmann (1931–2004) was one of
the leading American Pop artists of the 1960s. Departing from Abstract
Expressionism, he explored classical representations of the nude, still life,
and landscape, while incorporating everyday objects and advertising ephemera.
Wesselmann was drafted into the US Army in 1952, two years into the
Korean War. During his military service, he learned—then taught—aerial photography
interpretation, and began to draw cartoons about his experiences. Upon his
return to his hometown of Cincinnati, he completed a BA in psychology at the
University of Cincinnati and began taking classes at the Art Academy of
Cincinnati. In fall 1956, he moved to New York City to study art at the Cooper
Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. At Cooper Union, he met Claire
Selley, who would become his wife and lifelong muse.
Living
in Brooklyn, Wesselmann supported himself by selling cartoons to the Saturday
Evening Post, “gag” magazines, and advertising agencies. In the late 1950s, he
cofounded the Judson Gallery in the West Village with Marc Ratliff and Jim
Dine. After completing his studies at Cooper Union, Wesselmann spent three
years teaching high school art and math. During the evening, he continued to
expand his own artistic practice, making small portrait collages.
Wesselmann is highly regarded for his Great American Nude series
(1961–73), which
combines sensual depictions of the female figure with references to art history
and popular culture. Many of these lounging female subjects were painted in
patriotic red, white, and blue. In the late 1960s Wesselmann created close-up
views of the nude in the Bedroom Paintings (1968–83). More on Tom Wesselmann
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