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Humming Gold

1971
(American, 1928–2011)
America, 20th century
acrylic on canvas
Framed: 208.5 x 277 x 4 cm (82 1/16 x 109 1/16 x 1 9/16 in.); Unframed: 205.7 x 274.2 cm (81 x 107 15/16 in.)
Bequest of Dennis Sherwin 2009.294
© Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Location: not on view
This artwork is known to be under copyright.

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Description

Though deeply influenced by Abstract Expressionism, Helen Frankenthaler succeeded in developing a visual language which has its very own identity. Her so-called soak-stain technique of staining pigment into raw canvas helped shape an influential art movement in the mid 20th century and led to works of impressive transparency and lucidity. In circling around the recurrent themes of spatial ambiguity and landscape, Frankenthaler’s paintings open up a deep, nearly infinite pictorial space. Surrounded by golden color, the dark green, gray, and white form in Humming Gold seems to spring back and forth on the picture plane, floating in a space of uncertain depth. The subtle red line may evoke a horizontal line, giving the viewer an idea about one’s own scale and position in relation to the painting.
Humming Gold

Humming Gold

1971

Helen Frankenthaler

(American, 1928–2011)
America, 20th century

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