This painting belongs to the series of gridded, bichromatic, abstract compositions Torres–García made between 1935 and the early 1940s. In this work, irregular, geometric forms evoke primal architectonic structures, and the dramatic contrast between light and shadow on the many planes creates an effect of depth and volume. The painting reflects the artist's deep engagement with the indigenous art and architecture of the Americas and, in particular, his interest in Incan stonework. The strong shading in each rectangular compartment gives the impression of stacked blocks, visually mimicking Incan masonry.
Gallery label from New Perspectives in Latin American Art, 1930–2006: Selections from a Decade of Acquisitions, November 21, 2007–February 25, 2008.
Medium
Glue tempera on cardboard mounted on wood
Dimensions
31 3/4 x 40 1/8" (80.7 x 102 cm)
Credit
Gift of Patricia Phelps de Cisneros in honor of David Rockefeller
This work is included in the Provenance Research Project, which investigates the ownership history of works in MoMA's collection.
Estate of the artist, Montevideo, Uruguay, 1949; by inheritance to Olimpia Torres-Garcia, Montevideo, Uruguay; Galerie Gmurzynska, Cologne, 1989; acquired by Rolf and Margit Weinberg, Zurich, Switzerland; sold through Sotheby's, New York (Sale 7140) [1].
[1] See auct. cat. Paintings from the Rolf and Margit Weinberg Collection, Sotheby's New York, May 13 and May 27, 1998, p. 46 and de Torres, Cecilia and Susanna V. Temkin. "Construcción en blanco y negro, 1938 (1938.01)." Joaquín Torres-García Catalogue Raisonné. http://torresgarcia.com/catalogue/entry.php?id=1506 (accessed December 3, 2015).
Provenance research is a work in progress, and is frequently updated with new information. If you have any questions or information to provide about the listed works, please email provenance@moma.org or write to:
Provenance Research Project The Museum of Modern Art 11 West 53 Street New York, NY 10019
The artist. 1949, Estate of the Artist, Montevideo. ? - 1989, Galeria Gmurzynska, Cologne. 1998 - 2004, Colección Patricia Phelps de Cisneros, New York, and Caracas, purchased through Christie’s, New York, "Important Latin American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture", Sale 8888, lot 25, May 29, 1998. 2004, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, acquired as gift from Patricia Phelps de Cisneros.
MoMA Exh. #1931: "Painting and Sculpture: Inaugural Installation", 5th Floor, gallery 9, November 20, 2004 - August 7, 2005
Mexico City, Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes, "Cruce de Miradas Tradiciones Plásticas de América Latina en la colección CPPC", August 2 through October 22, 2006
Austin, Blanton Museum of Art, University of Texas, "The Geometry of Hope: Latin American Geometrical Abstraction from the Patricia Phelps de Cisneros Collection", February 17, 2007 - April 5, 2007
MoMA Exh. #2022: "New Perspectives in Latin American Art, 1930-2006: Selections from a Decade of Acquisitions", 3rd Floor, November 21, 2007 - February 25, 2008
Albany, New York State Museum, "Latin American and Caribbean Art: Selected Highlights from the Collection of The Museum of Modern Art", May 17 - October 13, 2008
Madrid, Fundacion Juan March, "Geometric Abstraction in Latin America (1934-1973)", February 11 - May 15, 2011
MoMA Exh. #2178: "Painting and Sculpture Changes 2012", 5th Floor, gallery 10, added July 16 - November 27, 2012
Madrid, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, "La invención concreta. Collección Patricia Phelps de Cisneros", January 22 - September 16, 2013
London, Royal Academy of Arts, "Radical Geometry: Modern Art of South America from the Patricia Phelps de Cisneros Collection", July 5 - September 28, 2014
MoMA Exh. #2339: "Joaquín Torres-García: The Arcadian Modern", 6th Floor, The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art Gallery, October 25, 2015 - February 15, 2016 and tour: Madrid, Fundación Telefónica, May 19 - September 18, 2016 Malaga, Museo Picasso Malaga, October 3, 2016 - January 29, 2017
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