The evocative title of this work and the fiery intensity of the palette signal a departure from Gorky’s more lyrical abstractions of the preceding years. Agony, a blazing, impassioned scene, is often understood in relation to the traumatic events of the artist’s personal life, including a fire in his studio and cancer.
Gallery label from Abstract Expressionist New York, October 3, 2010-April 25, 2011.
We have identified these works in the following photos from our exhibition history.
Recent Acquisitions
Mar 28–May 7, 1950
1 other work identified
Abstract Painting and Sculpture in America
Jan 23–Mar 25, 1951
1 other work identified
XXVth Anniversary Exhibition: Paintings from the Museum Collection
Oct 19, 1954–Feb 6, 1955
1 other work identified
The New American Painting as Shown in Eight European Countries 1958–1959
May 28–Sep 8, 1959
1 other work identified
Art in a Changing World: 1884–1964: Painting and Sculpture from the Museum Collection
May 27, 1964
1 other work identified
The New American Painting and Sculpture: The First Generation
Jun 18–Oct 5, 1969
2 other works identified
Permanent Collection
Mar 29, 1972–Apr 21, 1980
2 other works identified
Masterpieces from the Collection
Mar 2, 1982–Mar 1, 1983
3 other works identified
Selections from the Permanent Collection: Painting and Sculpture
May 17, 1984–Aug 4, 1992
1 other work identified
Selections from the Permanent Collection of Painting and Sculpture
Jul 1, 1993
2 other works identified
Selections from the Permanent Collection of Painting and Sculpture
Jul 1, 1993
1 other work identified
American Art 1904-1970: Selections from the Collection
Dec 11, 1998–Feb 16, 1999
Making Choices
Mar 16–Sep 26, 2000
1 other work identified
Making Choices
Mar 16–Sep 26, 2000
2 other works identified
Abstract Expressionist New York
Oct 3, 2010–Apr 25, 2011
1 other work identified
Abstract Expressionist New York
Oct 3, 2010–Apr 25, 2011
3 other works identified
523: Mythical Creatures and Radical Abstractions
Spring 2022 - Fall 2022
1 other work identified
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