Untitled

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Untitled

Artist Raymond Parker (American, 1922-1990)

Place of OriginUnited States

Date1966

DimensionsPainting; 33 × 46 in. (83.8 × 116.8 cm)
Frame: 34 × 46 1/2 × 1 1/2 in. (86.4 × 118.1 × 3.8 cm)

MediumOil on canvas

ClassificationPaintings

Credit LinePurchased with fund from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey, by exchange

Object number

2008.16

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 05

Label TextUntitled appears to reference Raymond Parker’s interest and investment in Modernist artist Henri Matisse’s work, particularly his works based on paper cut-outs. It also is in dialogue with the artist’s own Simple Painting series from the 1950s and 60sthat feature amoebic, cloudlike forms floating primarily on a white background. In this case, Parker creates an environment in blue. Untitled also expresses his love of jazz, as seen in his improvisational approach to painting. Parker’s work is often characterized as bridging Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting. During his studies, his work was largely Cubist-inspired, but after encountering artists like Helen Frankenthaler (see her work in this gallery) and Mark Rothko in New York, Parker moved toward atmospheric abstraction.