$5,398
Estimate: $2,500 - $4,000
What Do You See? The Collection of Sidney Rothberg, Part II
Auction: February 28, 2024 at 12 PM ET
Signed and dated ‘JM I-71’ bottom right, felt pen on paper
Sheet size: 10 5/8 x 7 15/16 in. (27 x 20.2cm)
Robert Elkon Gallery, New York, New York.
The Collection of Sidney Rothberg, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Members' Gallery, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York, 1972 - 1973 ,no 120N.
John McCracken was an American artist associated with the minimalist and light and space art movements. Born in Berkeley, California, he gained prominence in the 1960s with his sleek, geometric sculptures often made from industrial materials like fiberglass and resin, characterized by their clean lines and vibrant, monochromatic surfaces. McCracken's work is known for its spiritual and transcendental qualities, reflecting his interest in metaphysics and consciousness. McCracken also created mandala-like felt pen drawings that offered a departure from his three-dimensional works.
The present lot, executed with great precision and with an eye toward repetition, exhibits a mesmerizing interplay of symmetry and intricacy. The patterns and forms in McCracken's drawings convey a sense of harmony and balance, drawing viewers into a colorful, contemplative space. Untitled reveals a different dimension of McCracken's out, while still speaking to a career-long exploration of spiritual themes.